By the time water shows up on your ceiling, it has usually been getting in for a while. On a flat roof, the entry point and the stain are often several feet apart, because water travels along the deck before it finds a way through.
Look for ponding that never drains more than a day or two after rain. Standing water is the single biggest contributor to flat-roof failure, because it keeps the surface saturated and works at the seams constantly.
Check the seams and the areas around vents, pipes, and rooftop equipment. Those are where coatings and membranes usually break down first. Blisters, bubbles, and soft spots underfoot are also warning signs.
Interior Clues: a musty smell in a room below the roof, paint that keeps peeling or bubbling in one spot, or dark streaks on the ceiling can all point to moisture above. If you see a brown ring or a soft spot in drywall, get the roof looked at.
Photograph anything you notice, from the ground. Do not walk a roof that may be soft or damaged. Then get a professional inspection, especially before the next round of monsoon storms.
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