Close-up of rainwater running off a roof edge during heavy rainfall. A small leaking roof  might not look serious, but the real destruction often happens out of sight. Once water seeps past your shingles, it starts soaking insulation, warping wood, and feeding mold. All before you even notice a problem. According to This Old House, nearly 23% of all home insurance claims between 2019 and 2023 were caused by water damage or freezing, second only to wind and hail. The average
