Discovering a roof leak is never pleasant, but how you respond in the first hour matters. A few simple steps can limit the damage to your home and belongings while you wait for a professional roofer to attend. This article sets out what to do — and what to avoid — when your roof starts leaking.
Stay safe first
Before anything else, think about safety. If water is near electrical fittings, light fittings or sockets, turn off the electricity at the consumer unit if you can do so safely. Do not touch wet electrical fittings. If the leak is large or you are unsure, leave the room and call us on 01622 611 499.
Contain the water
Place buckets, bowls or towels beneath the leak to catch the water and protect your floor. If water is spreading across the ceiling, it can be helpful to carefully make a small hole in the bulging area with a screwdriver and place a bucket beneath — this releases the water in a controlled way rather than letting the ceiling saturate and collapse. Only do this if it is safe to reach the area.
Move your belongings
Move furniture, electronics, rugs and anything else that could be damaged away from the leak. If something is too heavy to move, cover it with plastic sheeting or dust sheets. Take photographs of the damage as you go — these are useful for an insurance claim.
Do not climb onto the roof
It is tempting to want to see the problem for yourself, but climbing onto a roof — especially in wet or windy weather — is dangerous. Most leaks cannot be safely diagnosed from the roof surface in any case. Leave the inspection to a professional.
Call a roofer
Call us on 01622 611 499 as soon as you can. Our team answers 24/7 — no AI receptionists — and we will talk you through any immediate steps while we arrange to attend. For active leaks we aim to respond quickly, often the same day, to make the roof safe and weatherproof. See our emergency roofing page and roof leak repairs page.
Do not ignore a small leak
A small damp patch might not seem urgent, but water travels and the entry point is rarely where the damp appears. A leak that looks minor can be rotting timbers, saturating insulation and damaging plaster out of sight. The sooner it is traced and repaired, the less damage it does. Arrange a free drone roof survey so we can identify the cause.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if my roof starts leaking?
Stay safe first — keep clear of wet electrical fittings. Contain the water with buckets, move belongings away, take photos for insurance, and do not climb onto the roof. Then call us on 01622 611 499 — our team answers 24/7.
Should I put a hole in my ceiling to release water?
If water is pooling and bulging the ceiling, carefully making a small hole with a screwdriver and placing a bucket beneath can release it in a controlled way and prevent the ceiling saturating. Only do this if it is safe to reach the area.