About our Flat Roof Repairs Cork Process
Signs You Have a Roof Leak
Catching a roof leak early can save thousands in damage repairs. Here’s what to look for:
Interior Warning Signs
- Water stains on ceilings or walls—brown or yellow rings are the classic sign. The stain location isn’t always directly below the leak—water travels along rafters and joists before dripping down.
- Active dripping during or after rain—If you can see water coming in, you have an active leak that needs immediate attention. Even small drips cause significant damage over time.
- Damp or musty smell upstairs—Persistent musty odors indicate trapped moisture, even without visible staining. Check your attic for hidden mold growth.
- Peeling paint or bubbling wallpaper—Moisture behind walls causes paint to blister and wallpaper to separate. This often appears before visible water stains.
- Sagging or soft ceiling areas—A ceiling that feels spongy or shows visible dips has water-damaged plasterboard. This is serious—the ceiling could collapse if water continues pooling.
Exterior Warning Signs
- Missing, cracked, or slipped slates/tiles—damaged roof covering exposes the underlayment beneath. One missing slate can let in liters of water during Cork’s heavy rainfall.
- Daylight visible through roof boards—check your attic on a bright day. If you can see pinpricks of light, water can get through the same gaps.
- Damaged or lifted flashing—The metal strips around chimneys, vents, and where roof sections meet are common leak sources. Look for rust, gaps, or edges pulling away.
- Blocked or overflowing gutters—When gutters can’t drain properly, water backs up under the roof edge and soaks into fascia boards and roof timbers.
- Heavy moss or algae growth—Thick moss retains moisture against your roof surface and can lift tiles over time, creating entry points for water.
Less Obvious Signs
- Higher than normal energy bills—wet insulation loses its thermal efficiency. If your heating costs have increased without explanation, hidden roof leaks may be the cause.
- Rust stains running down walls—Metal fixings inside the roof space can rust when exposed to moisture. Rust streaks on exterior walls often indicate internal water problems.
If you’ve noticed any of these signs, don’t wait. Call us on 087 223 4228 for a free inspection.
Common Causes of Roof Leaks in Cork
Cork’s Atlantic climate creates perfect conditions for roof failures. Here’s what typically causes leaks:
Weather-Related Causes
- Storm damage—High winds lift and crack slates, dislodge ridge tiles, and tear flashings. After any significant storm, check your roof from ground level for visible damage.
- Persistent rain—Cork receives over 1,200 mm of rainfall annually. This constant exposure degrades sealants, saturates mortar, and finds every weakness in your roof covering.
- Freeze-thaw cycles—Water enters small cracks, freezes, expands, and widens the gap. Repeated cycles eventually crack tiles and break mortar joints.
Structural Causes
- Age and deterioration—Most roof components have a finite lifespan. Felt underlayment typically lasts 25-30 years. Mortar bedding deteriorates after 20-25 years. Even sound-looking tiles may have failed underlayment beneath.
- Failed flashings—Lead and zinc flashings around chimneys, vents, and skylights corrode over time. Mortar fillets crack and separate. Flashing failures account for approximately 35% of the roof leaks we repair.
- Valley and gutter issues — Valley linings channel large water volumes and are prone to debris accumulation, splits, and corrosion. Failed valleys often damage multiple rooms simultaneously.
Installation and Maintenance Issues
- Poor original workmanship—incorrect tile overlaps, inadequate flashing details, or missing ventilation—causes problems that may take years to become apparent.
- Previous bodged repairs—We frequently find leaks caused by poor-quality previous repairs—wrong sealants, incompatible materials, or patches that failed to address the root cause.
- Blocked ventilation—Roof spaces need airflow to prevent condensation. Blocked soffit vents or sealed roof vents cause moisture buildup that mimics leak damage.
Understanding the cause helps us provide the right solution—not just a temporary patch.
Our Roof Leak Repair Process
Step 1: Emergency Response or Scheduled Inspection
Emergency callouts: If you have active water ingress, call us immediately on 087 223 4228. We aim to attend emergency calls within 4 hours during working hours, the same day for calls received by 2pm.
Scheduled inspections: For non-urgent concerns (stains, damp smells, visible tile damage but no active leaking), we typically schedule inspections within 2-3 working days.
Step 2: Diagnostic Inspection
We don’t guess at leak sources—we find them definitively using:
Thermal imaging cameras detect temperature differences caused by moisture, revealing hidden damp areas not visible to the eye.
Moisture meters—Measure saturation levels in timbers, insulation, and plasterboard to assess damage extent.
Systematic visual inspection—We check every potential leak point: flashings, valleys, tiles, vents, gutters, and fascias.
Water testing—For difficult-to-trace leaks, we systematically test sections with controlled water application to pinpoint the exact entry point.
We document everything with photographs and provide you with a clear report of what we find.
Step 3: Same-Day Quote
After inspection, we explain:
Exactly what’s causing the leak
What repairs are needed
How long the work will take
The total cost (no hidden fees)
Whether any interior work may be needed
You’ll receive your written quote the same day as the inspection in most cases.
Step 4: Professional Repair
Our repair work includes:
- Proper material matching—We source correct replacement slates, tiles, and materials to maintain your roof’s appearance and function.
- Quality workmanship—all repairs completed to manufacturer specifications and Irish building standards.
- Complete cleanup—We leave your property as we found it, removing all debris and materials.
- Detailed documentation — You receive a service report recording all work completed, materials used, and any maintenance recommendations.
Step 5: Quality Verification
Before we leave:
Visual inspection confirms all repair work is complete
Water testing verifies the leak is resolved (where safe to perform)
You receive your 20-year warranty documentation
We brief you on any follow-up maintenance recommendations
Roof Leak Repair Costs in Cork
Every leak is different, so we provide accurate quotes after inspection. Here’s general guidance on what to expect:
Repair Type
Price Range
Examples
Minor Repairs
€150–€400
Single tile, small flashing resealing, gutter joints, vent collar
Moderate Repairs
€400–€1,200
Multiple tiles, chimney reflashing, valley patching, ridge rebedding
Major Repairs
€1,200 – €3,500+
Extensive tile renewal, full reflashing, valley replacement, timber repairs
Factors That Affect Your Quote
- Roof accessibility—Steep pitches, high buildings, or limited access may require scaffolding, adding to costs.
- Materials needed—Natural slate costs more than concrete tiles. Matching heritage materials for period properties adds expense.
- Extent of hidden damage—Water damage to timbers or insulation increases scope once exposed.
- Emergency vs. scheduled—Emergency callouts outside normal hours carry a premium, though we keep this reasonable.
We never surprise you with hidden costs. Your quote covers everything.
Is Your Leak an Emergency?
Call us immediately (087 223 4228) if:
Water is actively dripping or streaming into your home
Your ceiling is bulging, sagging, or feels soft (water pooling above)
Water is near electrical fittings, light fixtures, or your fuse board
Storm damage has caused visible structural problems
Multiple rooms are affected simultaneously
You can hear water running inside walls or ceilings
We provide 24/7 emergency response, 365 days a year.
Schedule a Standard Inspection If:
You’ve noticed staining but no active dripping
There’s a damp smell but no visible water
You can see damaged tiles but the interior is currently dry
You want a precautionary check after storms
The problem appears to come and go with certain weather conditions
We typically attend scheduled inspections within 2-3 working days.
What Counts as an Emergency?
Active water ingress always warrants an emergency response. The damage water causes in hours can take weeks to repair and cost thousands. When in doubt, call us—we’ll help you assess the urgency.
What to Do While Waiting for Repairs
If you’ve discovered a leak and are waiting for our team to arrive:
- Contain the water — Place buckets, bins, or containers under active drips. Lay towels or plastic sheets to protect flooring and carpets.
- Relieve ceiling bulges safely—If your ceiling is bulging downward, it’s holding water. Carefully puncture the lowest point with a screwdriver to release water into a bucket below. This prevents a larger ceiling collapse.
- Move valuables and furniture—relocate electronics, documents, furniture, and anything water-sensitive away from the affected area.
- Turn off electricity if necessary—If water is near light fittings, sockets, or electrical equipment, turn off power to that circuit at your consumer unit. Don’t touch wet electrical fittings.
- Document everything — Take photos and videos of all damage before any cleanup. This documentation is essential for insurance claims.
- Don’t attempt roof access — Wet roofs are extremely dangerous. Climbing onto your roof risks serious injury and may cause additional damage. Leave inspection and temporary covering to our team.
- Note weather conditions—record when the leak started, weather conditions, and how quickly water is coming in. This helps us diagnose the problem.
Why Choose Keystone Roofing for Leak Repairs 20 Years of Cork Experience
Since 2004, we’ve repaired over 2,000 roof leaks across Cork city and county. We know Cork’s housing stock — from Victorian terraces to modern estates — and the specific problems each roof type develops.
Find It Right, Fix It Right
Many roofers patch the obvious damage without finding the actual source. We use diagnostic equipment and systematic testing to identify exactly where water enters, so our repairs solve the problem permanently.
Guaranteed Workmanship
Every repair is backed by our 20-year unlimited warranty. If a leak we’ve repaired returns within that period, we fix it at no cost to you. We also provide a 10-year home security guarantee for additional peace of mind.
Fair, Transparent Pricing
You receive a detailed written quote before any work begins. No hidden fees, no surprise charges. The price we quote is the price you pay.
Emergency Response When You Need It
Our 365-day emergency assist service means help is available whenever leaks occur — weekends, holidays, and evenings. We understand that roof leaks don’t wait for convenient times.
Fully Registered and Insured
We’re fully registered, carry comprehensive public liability insurance, and comply with all Irish building regulations. You can verify our credentials on request.
Complete Service
From initial inspection through repair, cleanup, and documentation, we handle everything. You receive a detailed service report and warranty certificate for your records.
Roof Leak Repairs Across Cork
We provide emergency and scheduled leak repairs throughout Cork city and county:
Cork City: Douglas, Blackrock, Ballintemple, Bishopstown, Wilton, Turner’s Cross, Ballinlough, Togher, City Centre, Ballincollig, Mahon, Rochestown
North Cork: Ballyvolane, Blackpool, Mayfield, Glanmire, Blarney, Fermoy, Mallow, Charleville, Mitchelstown
South Cork: Carrigaline, Passage West, Cobh, Crosshaven, Kinsale, Bandon
East Cork: Midleton, Carrigtwohill, Youghal, Castlemartyr, Whitegate
West Cork: Clonakilty, Skibbereen, Bantry, Macroom, Dunmanway
We also serve Tipperary including Clonmel, Cashel, Tipperary Town, Cahir, and Carrick-on-Suir.
Free inspections across all areas. Emergency callouts available 365 days.
