Water is coming through the ceiling and it's still raining. Here's exactly what to do, in order.
The five steps
1. Contain the water. Buckets, towels, and move furniture and electronics out of the drip zone. 2. Relieve bulging ceilings. If paint is ballooning with water, poke a small hole and drain it into a bucket — controlled draining prevents a bigger collapse. 3. Kill power to affected areas if water is near fixtures or outlets. 4. Photograph everything 5. Call for emergency tarping. We tarp roofs fast to stop the bleeding until permanent repairs can be made.
What not to do
Don't climb onto a wet roof, ever. And don't start interior repairs until the roof is fixed — you'll just be redoing them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first when my roof is leaking?
Contain the water (buckets, move belongings), relieve trapped water from a bulging ceiling carefully, document the damage with photos, and cover the area with a tarp if safe. Then call a professional roofer.
Should I go on the roof to fix a leak myself?
Generally no — a wet or storm-damaged roof is dangerous, and DIY fixes often miss the real source. Contain the interior water, document it, and get a professional inspection instead.
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