Found a roof leak? Do these 5 things first

1. Protect what is below it

Move furniture and electronics clear, put down a bucket and towels, and pull anything valuable out of the room. Water spreads much further across a ceiling than the drip suggests.

2. Relieve the pressure

If the ceiling is bulging, a small hole at the lowest point of the bulge lets water drain into a bucket in a controlled way. That single step often saves the entire ceiling — a trapped pocket of water will eventually bring the drywall down with it.

3. Photograph everything, with timestamps

Photograph the ceiling, the walls, the floor, any damaged contents, and the exterior if you can do it safely. Keep receipts for anything you buy to mitigate the damage. Insurers pay claims on documentation, not descriptions.

4. Do not chase the stain

Water enters high and travels along rafters and sheathing before it drips, so the entry point is almost never directly above the stain. Sealing the visible spot from below usually just hides the problem until the next storm.

5. Get a real diagnosis, not a guess

A proper leak investigation traces the water path: exterior inspection of flashings, penetrations, valleys and field shingles, an attic check for the wet path, and photo documentation of the actual entry point.

Ask for the photos. Any roofer who wants to sell a repair without showing you where the water is coming in is guessing with your money.

Temporary measures until help arrives

During a storm, stay off the roof. If the leak is severe and the weather is clear, a properly weighted tarp over the suspected area buys time. Never staple a tarp through good shingles — you are adding new holes to a roof that already has one.

Related services

• Emergency roof repair
• Leak detection & repair
• Free roof inspection