Roof leak
Don't do this yourself
What to do until the pro arrives
- Catch the water: put a bucket under the drip and, if the ceiling bulges, pierce it at the lowest point so it drains in a controlled way.
- Move furniture and switch off the circuit for any light fitting near the wet area.
- In the attic, trace the water uphill along rafters to where it enters — it is often well above where it drips — and photograph it.
- If it is safe to reach from a ladder without stepping onto the roof, weigh a tarp over the area with sandbags until the roofer comes; otherwise leave it.
- Write down the weather when it leaks (wind direction, heavy rain only, after snow) — that tells the roofer where to look.
What a pro does that you can't
A roofer finds the entry point (usually flashing, a vent boot, or a valley rather than the shingles), repairs it properly, and checks the deck for rot before it spreads.