Daylight Visible Through Roof Boards
Act immediately — structural or safety risk
Seeing daylight through your roof from the attic? This is an emergency. Learn what causes it, immediate steps to take, and replacement cost estimates. Estimated repair cost: $500–$5,000. For a precise estimate based on your actual roof, get a free satellite quote at RoofVista.
Likely Causes
Rotted roof decking has holes or gaps from prolonged water damage
Missing shingles plus deteriorated underlayment expose the decking gaps
Storm damage from fallen branches punching through the roof structure
Animal damage — raccoons, squirrels, or woodpeckers creating openings
Structural deterioration in very old roofs (50+ years) where boards have separated
How to Diagnose This Problem
- 1
In the attic during daytime, turn off all lights and look for pinpoints or streams of light
- 2
Small pinpoints near nails are often normal — nail holes in sheathing. Large gaps are not.
- 3
Mark any daylight spots with tape so you can find them again
- 4
Check for active water intrusion around the daylight spots — water follows the light path
- 5
If daylight is visible as a large opening, do not walk on the roof above it — the decking may be compromised
Estimated Repair Cost
$500 – $5,000
Typical repair range (varies by location and severity)
When to Replace Instead of Repair
Visible daylight through decking (not just nail holes) almost always means full replacement. The decking beneath needs replacing, and once decking work begins, a full re-roof is the only cost-effective path.
Materials Affected
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