Emergency Roof Leak Checklist

1. Protect people first

• Keep everyone away from sagging ceilings and areas where water is pooling overhead.
• If water is anywhere near light fixtures, ceiling fans, outlets or your electrical panel, switch off that circuit at the breaker.
• Do not use a ladder or go onto the roof during or after a storm. Wet and storm-damaged roofs can be extremely hazardous and are best left to trained professionals.

If burning is smelled, sparking is seen, or water is running through electrical equipment, treat it as an emergency and call 911.

2. Move belongings and catch drips where safe

• Move furniture, electronics, rugs and anything of value out of the affected area.
• Place buckets or bins under active drips and lay towels around them to stop splash spread.
• Empty containers before they overflow, as a fast leak can fill a bucket quickly.

3. Document everything before you clean up

• Photograph the interior damage from several angles, including wide shots that show the room and close shots of the staining.
• Photograph any exterior damage you can see safely from the ground, including debris, missing shingles or displaced material in the yard.
• Note the date, the time, and what the weather was doing when the leak appeared.
• Keep receipts for anything you buy to limit the damage.

4. Limit further damage where it is safe to do so

• Clear debris from gutters and downspout outlets only if you can do it safely from the ground.
• Run fans and a dehumidifier in the affected room once water entry has slowed.
• Pull back wet carpet from the pad if you can, so both can dry.
• Do not attempt tarping yourself on a wet or damaged roof.

5. Call for a roof assessment

• Describe whether water is entering right now, where it is appearing, and when it started.
• Mention any storm event, hail, or wind that preceded it.
• Ask for temporary protection if the weather will not allow a permanent repair yet.
• Follow up with a full inspection once conditions allow, even if the leak has stopped.