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Roofing guide

Roof leaking? What to do before the roofer arrives

A leak feels urgent because it is happening inside the house. The safest response is to limit damage below, gather useful information and avoid turning a roof problem into a fall or electrical problem.

A leak feels urgent because it is happening inside the house. The safest response is to limit damage below, gather useful information and avoid turning a roof problem into a fall or electrical problem.

Protect the room first

Move furniture and valuables away from the wet area. Use a container for drips and protect flooring. If water is close to electrical fittings, do not touch wet electrics; isolate the affected circuit only if you can do so safely and seek appropriate electrical help.

Do not climb onto a wet roof

Rain, moss, steep pitches and loose tiles make roofs hazardous. Photos from ground level or a loft inspection from a safe boarded area are useful, but a leak is not worth a fall.

Note when the leak happens

Does it appear only in wind-driven rain? After prolonged rain? Around a chimney? Does it continue after the rain stops? Those observations help narrow the likely route of water.

Do not seal random areas with silicone

A quick smear can make later diagnosis harder and may trap water or fail because it is not compatible with the roofing material. Temporary weatherproofing should still be deliberate.

Related help

This guide is general information, not a substitute for inspecting the individual roof or checking current planning/building requirements for a specific property.

Not sure what the roof needs?

Tell us what you can see. We will help you work out the sensible next step.

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Tell us what the roof is doing.

A leak, a loose tile, a tired flat roof or a full replacement. We will start with the problem in plain English.

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