SureRoof repairs roof leaks for homes in Bozeman and nearby towns across the Gallatin Valley, including Belgrade, Manhattan, Four Corners, Three Forks, Livingston and Big Sky. Our office is at 204 Durston Rd Unit A in Bozeman. Call (406) 551-9397, Monday to Friday, 8 AM–5 PM.
Where roof leaks usually start
Most leaks come from a detail, not the open field of shingles:
- Flashing at chimneys, walls and dormers that has lifted, rusted or lost its sealant
- Pipe boots around plumbing vents, whose rubber cracks under high-altitude UV
- Valleys, where two roof planes carry the most water
- Skylights and their curb flashing (see skylight repair)
- Missing or wind-lifted shingles after wind off the Bridgers (see missing shingle repair)
- Ice dams at the eaves during freeze-thaw, which push meltwater under the shingles
- Hail damage that cracks shingles or exposes the mat (see storm and hail damage)
What to do right now
- Catch the drip and move furniture, electronics and rugs out of the way.
- If the ceiling is sagging with water, keep people out of the room below.
- Take photos of the stain and any damage you can see from the ground, which helps with insurance.
- Stay off a wet, snowy or icy roof.
If water is coming in heavily or part of the roof is open, go to emergency roof repair and call us.
How we find the source
The wet spot inside is rarely directly below the problem. Water runs down the underside of the decking or along a rafter before it drops. We start at the interior evidence, check the roof above and uphill from it, inspect the flashing, boots and valleys nearby, and check the attic side where that helps to trace the path. Then we repair the failed detail itself rather than sealing over the area around the stain.
Temporary protection vs. a permanent repair
In bad weather the first step may be temporary protection to stop more water getting in. The permanent repair, such as replacing flashing, a pipe boot, shingles or damaged decking, follows once conditions allow. You get a written estimate for the permanent repair before it starts.
If leaks keep showing up in different places, the roof may be past repair. We'll tell you plainly and explain the roof replacement option. For general repairs that aren't leaks, see roof repair in Bozeman.
Leaks and insurance
Leaks caused by sudden wind or hail damage may be covered by your homeowner's policy. Our guide on how to file a roof insurance claim walks through the steps, and we can document the damage for your claim.
Roof leak questions
Why is my roof leaking only when the snow melts?+
That pattern usually points to an ice dam. Snow melts over the warm part of the roof, refreezes at the colder eave, and the meltwater backs up under the shingles. It's common in Bozeman from late autumn into spring, and the fix involves the eave details and often attic ventilation, not just the shingles.
The stain is in the middle of the ceiling. Is the hole right above it?+
Rarely. Water runs along decking and rafters before it drops, so the source is often several feet uphill from the stain. That's why we check the roof above and around the stain, and the attic side where it helps, before repairing anything.
What should I do while I wait for a repair?+
Put a container under the drip, move valuables and electronics away, and if a ceiling is bulging with water, keep people out of the room underneath. Don't go up on a wet or icy roof yourself. If water is coming in heavily, call us and see our emergency roof repair page.
Is a roof leak covered by insurance?+
Sometimes. Sudden damage from wind or hail is often covered; wear and gradual failure usually is not. Your policy decides, not us. Our insurance claim guide explains how the process works.
Is the first visit free?+
Yes. Roof inspections are free. We find the source and give you a written estimate before any repair work starts.