What to do if your roof is leaking

A leaking roof is stressful, especially when it is raining and the drip is getting faster. This is what to do straight away, what to avoid and how to get it fixed properly.

Step 1: Keep yourself and your family safe

• Stay away from any bulging ceiling. A ceiling holding water can collapse without warning.
• Watch the electrics. If water is near light fittings, sockets or the fuse board, switch off the power to that circuit at the consumer unit. If water is reaching the fuse board itself, do not touch it. Call an electrician.
• Do not climb on the roof. Wet slopes are slippery, and falls from roofs cause serious injuries every year.

Step 2: Limit the damage inside

1. Move furniture, rugs and valuables out of the way.
2. Put a bucket or washing-up bowl under the drip, with a towel at the bottom to reduce splashing.
3. If water is pooling in a ceiling, and you can do it safely, make a small hole at the lowest point of the bulge, standing to the side with a bucket underneath, so the water drains in a controlled way instead of bringing the ceiling down. Only do this if there is no electrical risk.
4. If you can get into the loft safely, check for the source. Look for wet insulation or timbers. Move insulation away from the wet area and put a container under the drip.

Step 3: Take photos and notes

Photograph the damage inside and outside, and make a note of the time the leak started and the weather. This helps your roofer and, if you claim, your insurer.

Step 4: Call a roofer

Describe where the leak is, when it appears (only in heavy rain, or all the time) and whether there is a chimney, flat roof or extension in that part of the house. That helps your roofer plan the visit. For active leaks, ask for an emergency visit.

Step 5: Temporary fix, then a proper repair

A roofer can often make the roof watertight the same day with temporary protection. That buys time, but it is not the permanent repair. After that you need a proper repair, which could be one of:

• Replacing slipped or cracked tiles or slates.
• Re-bedding ridge tiles or renewing flashings and leadwork.
• Repairing or replacing a failing valley or gutter.
• Repairing or replacing a flat roof covering.

Where leaks usually come from

• Chimney junctions. Failed flashings and flaunching are the top cause. See our chimney repairs and leadwork page.
• Valleys and abutments where two roof slopes or a roof and a wall meet.
• Broken or slipped tiles, often after wind.
• Flat roofs and rooflights, especially at edges and upstands.
• Blocked gutters that overflow into the roof edge and walls.
• Condensation, which can look like a leak but is caused by poor ventilation. If the damp is in the loft in winter and there is no obvious hole in the roof, condensation may be the answer.

Insurance

Check your home insurance for storm and accidental damage cover. Insurers generally cover sudden events and not gradual wear and tear. Tell your insurer early, keep receipts for emergency work and ask your roofer for a written report with photos.

Things to avoid

• Do not paint over damp stains and hope for the best. The cause will still be there.
• Do not use silicone or roof sealant as a long-term fix on a tile roof. It often traps water and makes things worse.
• Do not agree to major work from someone who knocks on your door saying they have spotted a problem on your roof. Get at least one other written quote.

Need a roofer now?

If you have an active leak, call us and we will give you a straight answer about when we can get there and what to do in the meantime. You can read more about our roof repairs and emergency call-outs.