Guide · Emergency
Roof leaking into the house: what to do right now
Water through the ceiling during a storm is frightening, but most of what you can do happens inside. Stay off the roof until the storm passes, and focus on the ceiling and what's under it.
While it's still raining
- Make it safe. If water is dripping near a light fixture, ceiling fan or outlet, switch off that circuit at the breaker panel, as long as you can reach the panel without standing in water.
- Clear the area. Move furniture, electronics and rugs out from under the leak, and cover what you can't move with plastic sheeting.
- Catch the water. Buckets, trash cans and towels. Lay a towel inside the bucket to stop splashing.
- Relieve a bulging ceiling. If water is pooling above the drywall, puncture the lowest point with a screwdriver over a bucket, standing to the side. If it's sagging or cracking, keep everyone out of the room.
- Check the attic if you can get there safely. Put a board across the joists and a bucket under the drip, and pull wet insulation away from the ceiling.
After the storm
- Look from the ground first. Use binoculars to spot missing shingles, damaged flashing around the chimney and vents, or debris on the roof.
- Get the roof covered. A tarp secured well past the damaged area keeps the next rain out. Emergency tarping is a reasonable temporary repair your insurer should expect.
- Dry the inside. Wet attic insulation usually has to be removed. Ceiling drywall that sagged or stained deeply usually comes out too. Attic framing and roof sheathing need to dry quickly to prevent mold and rot.
Document for insurance
- Video and photos of the ceiling, walls, floors and damaged belongings, and of the roof from the ground.
- The date and time the leak started and the weather that day. Local storm reports can support a wind or hail claim.
- Receipts for tarps, buckets, fans, emergency services and any hotel stay.
- Don't throw away damaged shingles or belongings until the adjuster has seen them or approved disposal.
Common roof leak sources
| Source | Clue |
|---|---|
| Missing or lifted shingles | Leak after high wind; shingles in the yard |
| Flashing at chimneys, walls and skylights | Stain near a chimney or skylight; leak in wind-driven rain |
| Plumbing vent boots | Stain on a bathroom or kitchen ceiling below a vent pipe |
| Ice dams | Leak at exterior walls in winter, during a thaw |
| Clogged gutters | Water at the top of exterior walls or soffits during heavy rain |
| Attic condensation | Damp sheathing and frost in winter with no rain; poor attic ventilation |
Frequently asked questions
Should I poke a hole in a ceiling that's bulging with water?
If the bulge is filling with water and there's no light fixture or wiring in it, yes: it's safer to drain it into a bucket than to let it collapse. Turn off power to that area first, stand to the side, and use a screwdriver at the lowest point. If the ceiling is sagging badly or cracking, keep everyone out of the room instead.
Can I tarp my own roof?
Only when the weather has cleared, the roof is dry and not steep, and you can do it safely with someone else present. Falls from roofs cause serious injuries. Many roofers and restoration companies offer emergency tarping, and the cost is often part of an insurance claim.
Why does my ceiling leak only when it rains hard or the wind blows?
Wind-driven rain can get under damaged shingles, flashing around chimneys, vents and skylights, or through gaps at the roof edge that stay dry in calm rain. A leak far from where the water shows up is common, because water runs along rafters and the top of the ceiling before it drips.
Does insurance cover a leaking roof?
If wind, hail or a fallen tree suddenly damaged the roof, homeowners insurance usually covers the roof repair and the interior water damage after your deductible. If the roof leaked because of age, wear or poor maintenance, the roof itself usually isn't covered, and interior damage may be disputed.