What to Do When Your Roof Starts Leaking
Keep people safe first
Keep everyone away from wet floors and from water near light fixtures, ceiling fans or outlets. If water reaches anything electrical, leave it alone and treat the area as unsafe. Do not go onto the roof in rain, wind, snow or ice; wait until conditions are safe and leave rooftop work to a contractor.
Contain the water indoors
Move furniture, rugs and electronics out of the way and catch drips with buckets or towels. If a ceiling sags with trapped water, keep people out of the room below. Temporary tarping belongs to the roofer.
Call about an ice dam
Tell the contractor where water shows up, when it began, whether it follows wind-driven rain, snowmelt or every storm, and the roof's age and material. Photograph stains and damage for your records, and after a storm, be wary of door-to-door roofing offers.
Even a small roof leak can wet insulation, weaken decking and spread mold over time. See the storm damage page or call the referral line.
Keep everyone away from wet floors and from water near light fixtures, ceiling fans or outlets. If water reaches anything electrical, leave it alone and treat the area as unsafe. Do not go onto the roof in rain, wind, snow or ice; wait until conditions are safe and leave rooftop work to a contractor.
Contain the water indoors
Move furniture, rugs and electronics out of the way and catch drips with buckets or towels. If a ceiling sags with trapped water, keep people out of the room below. Temporary tarping belongs to the roofer.
Call about an ice dam
Tell the contractor where water shows up, when it began, whether it follows wind-driven rain, snowmelt or every storm, and the roof's age and material. Photograph stains and damage for your records, and after a storm, be wary of door-to-door roofing offers.
Even a small roof leak can wet insulation, weaken decking and spread mold over time. See the storm damage page or call the referral line.