What to Do When Your Roof Is Leaking
If water is entering your home or building, the first priority is limiting interior damage without putting yourself at risk.
Protect the Interior
Move belongings away from the affected area and use a container where practical. Keep people away from visibly damaged ceilings or electrical fixtures affected by water. Avoid climbing onto a wet or damaged roof yourself.
Document What You See
Note where dripping or staining appears, when it started and whether it followed recent rain. Photos of the interior symptom can help preserve what was visible even if the area dries before the roof is evaluated.
Do Not Assume the Stain Is the Entry Point
Water can move along decking or framing before becoming visible indoors. The roof area above a ceiling stain therefore may not be the exact place where water entered.
Move From Symptom to Diagnosis
The next step is identifying the likely source and surrounding condition. Depending on the roof, that may involve roofing material, flashing, valleys, penetrations, transitions or drainage. Review emergency roof leak repair, roof repair or roof inspection.
What to Do First During an Active Roof Leak
Protect people first. Avoid wet electrical fixtures, sagging ceiling areas and any attempt to walk on a wet roof. If it can be done safely, move valuables away from the affected area and use a container to limit interior water spread.
Document what you can see
Photograph the stain, dripping area and any changes over time. Note when the leak started and whether it becomes worse during wind-driven rain. This information can help narrow the inspection area, although it does not prove the exterior source.
Do not assume the stain marks the entry point
Water may travel before appearing indoors. A roof evaluation should look at the roof surface and nearby transitions, flashing, penetrations and drainage conditions rather than relying only on the interior mark.
After the immediate leak is controlled
The next decision is whether the problem is localized or part of broader deterioration. See roof repair, roof inspection, or our repair vs. replacement guide.