West Palm Beach October 2026

14 W E S T PA L M B E A C H | O C T O B E R 2 0 2 6 COMMUNITY We begin by gathering information. When does the leak occur? How long has it been happening? Has the area been repaired previously? Does it happen during every rainfall or only certain storms? We then visually inspect accessible areas of the roof, exterior building envelope, and interior. We look for deteriorated roofing materials, flashing deficiencies, penetrations, cracked or deteriorated sealants, stucco conditions, and other potential entry points. When appropriate, our investigation may also include controlled water testing, moisture detection, and infrared thermal imaging. Instead of randomly applying water everywhere, we can test suspected areas methodically while monitoring the interior. The goal is to isolate the source and, when possible, reproduce the intrusion. We also photograph and document our findings. This is particularly important for commercial properties, condominiums, HOAs, and POAs, where boards and property managers need reliable information to make informed decisions. And sometimes our investigation leads to an important conclusion: It isn't the roof. I believe being willing to make that determination is just as important as identifying a roofing problem. DIAGNOSE FIRST. REPAIR SECOND. Whether you own a home, operate a business, or serve on a community association board, recurring water intrusion should not become an endless cycle of patch, wait for rain, and patch again. The objective should be to identify the source, document the findings, and develop the appropriate corrective action. A water stain appears on the ceiling, and the natural reaction is almost always the same: “The roof is leaking.” Sometimes it is. But sometimes it isn’t. After years of inspecting roofs and investigating water intrusion throughout South Florida, I have learned an important lesson: where you see water inside a building is not necessarily where the water entered. Water can travel along roof decking, structural components, pipes, insulation, and walls before finally becoming visible. That means repairing the roof directly above a ceiling stain may not solve the problem—and could result in spending money on a repair that was never needed. NOT EVERY LEAK COMES FROM THE ROOF When I investigate water intrusion, I try not to begin with a predetermined conclusion. The roof is certainly one potential source, but I have also encountered water intrusion associated with HVAC systems, plumbing, windows, doors, stucco, deteriorated sealants, exterior walls, flashing, and other components of the building envelope. South Florida's combination of heavy rain, wind, heat, and humidity can make these investigations particularly challenging. A condition may remain completely dry during an ordinary afternoon shower but leak when wind-driven rain approaches the building from a particular direction. That is why I believe in a simple principle: investigate first and repair second. HOW WE INVESTIGATE WATER INTRUSION At Roofing & Restoration of Florida , my team and I approach water intrusion systematically. - By John Carr, President, Roofing & Restoration of Florida - The Roof Leak That Isn’t a Roof Leak To schedule your free consultation, email John Carr at john@rroffl.com. W hether you need an emergency response, a professional damage assessment, or guidance on the next steps after a loss, Roofing & Restoration of Florida is committed to providing knowledgeable, honest, and professional service every step of the way. WHY FINDING THE SOURCE OF WATER INTRUSION SHOULD COME BEFORE MAKING THE REPAIR