Roof Leaking? Here Is What You Should Do

Noticing water coming through the ceiling is worrying, particularly during heavy rain.

The important thing to know is that a leaking roof does not automatically mean the entire roof has failed. Sometimes the cause is relatively localised and can be repaired without replacing the roof.

First, protect the inside of your home

If water is actively coming through, move furniture and electrical items away from the affected area if it is safe to do so.

Place a bucket or suitable container underneath the leak and try to limit any further damage while you arrange for the roof to be inspected.

Avoid climbing onto the roof yourself, particularly when it is wet or windy.

Where is the water coming from?

This is where roof leaks can become deceptive.

The place where you see water inside the house is not necessarily directly underneath the point where water entered the roof.

Water can travel along roofing materials and timber before eventually appearing through a ceiling or wall.

Common causes include damaged or missing tiles, problems around flashing, deteriorated flat roofing, damaged lead work, blocked or damaged guttering and issues around roof junctions.

That is why simply looking at the ceiling stain often does not tell you exactly what needs repairing.

Can a leaking roof be repaired?

In many cases, yes.

If the problem is limited to a damaged section and the rest of the roof remains sound, a roof repair can often resolve the issue.

For example, replacing damaged tiles or repairing defective lead work can be considerably simpler than replacing an entire roof.

The important part is identifying the actual source of the leak rather than treating only the visible symptom inside the property.

What if the leak happens at night or during bad weather?

If water is entering the property heavily or the roof has suffered sudden storm damage, waiting several days may not be practical.

Wales Roofing offers a 24 hour roofing call out service for situations where urgent attention is needed.

Where conditions allow, the immediate aim may be to prevent further water getting inside before permanent repairs are completed.

Should I wait to see if it leaks again?

It is tempting, especially if the leak only appeared during particularly heavy rain.

The problem is that water entering a roof can affect insulation, ceilings and timber before the damage becomes obvious from inside the house.

Getting the problem checked early can often prevent a relatively small roofing issue from becoming a much more expensive one.

Got a leaking roof?

If you have noticed water coming through your ceiling, damp around the roofline or visible damage to the roof, contact Wales Roofing.

We can inspect the problem, explain what is causing it and recommend the appropriate repair.