Sometimes the water shows up at a ceiling spot distant from the leak.
Water dripping between gutter and roof.
Your leak is a gutter problem if there is a clear issue with an element of the gutter system or definite water coming from the gutters end caps downspout or gutter seams etc.
If your ceiling has a plastic vapor barrier between the drywall and the attic insulation push the insulation aside and look for flow stains on the plastic often water runs to openings in the vapor barrier such as at ceiling light fixtures.
When water drips between the fascia and the gutters the problem could be a compromised drip edge but it s also possible the gutters are overflowing.
For gutters to work properly they must be properly sloped toward the downspouts and the roof must have a drip edge that clears the sides of the gutters closest to the house.
Home centers sell a gutter apron in 10 ft.
Over time rain gutters often start to pull away from the roof allowing water to drip over the gutter sides or between the gutters and the walls.
The drip edge is a component installed along the eaves of your roof that helps to direct water flow and project it outward ideally into your gutters where it will be safely carried away.
If water is dripping behind your gutter it s probably because it was installed without any flashing over the back of the gutter.
Capillary action is a water activity in which water adheres to a surface and follow the surface.
A gutter apron is a bent piece of flashing that tucks up under the shingles and over the gutter.
If the water is dripping between the fascia and the soffit or only from the soffit this is a good indicator that the leak is coming from your roof.
The gutter apron prevents water from ever reaching the soffit by leading water straight into the gutters.
Usually this is due to gutter fasteners rusting.
When there is rain the water is expected to roll down the roof and into the gutters.
If the drip edge is installed incorrectly or takes on some damage from time or weather it can often result in water just not quite making it to the gutters.
Water leaking between gutter and fascia.
The gutter apron will prevent the dripping.
When the roof shingles do not extend past the metal drip edge the water will suck back on the metal drip edge this is called capillary action and run behind your gutters.
For example most ranch style homes have a 3 12 or 4 12 pitch roof.
The gutters then direct the water to a downspout allowing the water to run down until it reaches the ground.
However a gutter apron is different from a drip edge because it hangs over the gutters and then angles back toward the house.
