It's raining hard outside and you've just noticed water dripping through your ceiling, a damp patch spreading across the plasterboard, or — in the worst case — a bulge of trapped water threatening to come through at any moment. Your first instinct is probably panic. That's understandable. But the next 30 minutes matter a great deal.
Acting quickly and correctly right now can be the difference between a repair bill of a few hundred pounds and a full ceiling replacement costing thousands. This guide tells you exactly what to do — in order — so you can protect your home and get the right help as fast as possible.
Step-by-Step: What to Do Right Now
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1Turn off electricity to the affected area
If water is coming through near light fittings, ceiling roses, or any electrical fitting — or if the leak is near the consumer unit itself — switch off the relevant circuit at your fuse box immediately. Do not wait. Water conducts electricity and a wet ceiling with an active light fitting above it is a serious fire and electrocution risk. If in doubt, isolate the whole floor or the whole property until the leak is contained.
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2Contain the water — buckets, towels, and sheets of plastic
Place buckets, bowls, or any large containers under the drip points. Lay old towels around the base to soak up splash. If you have a tarpaulin or heavy-duty bin bags, lay them over furniture and flooring below the leak. Move rugs, electronics, and any valuables well away from the area immediately. Wooden flooring and furniture are particularly vulnerable to irreversible water damage.
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3Relieve a bulging ceiling before it collapses
If your ceiling is visibly bulging or sagging with trapped water, do not wait for it to burst. Get a screwdriver or a sharp implement and pierce the lowest point of the bulge carefully — holding a bucket underneath. A controlled drainage point prevents the ceiling plasterboard from collapsing under the weight, which would cause far greater damage and create a much more expensive repair. This sounds drastic but it is the right thing to do.
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4Go into the loft — but only if it is safe to do so
If you have loft access and it is safe, go up and look at the underside of the roof. You may be able to see where water is entering — a gap in the felt underlay, a damp rafter, or water running down a wall. If you have a waterproof tarpaulin or heavy polythene sheeting, you can lay it over the inside of the roof above the entry point to temporarily redirect water away from the ceiling below. Place buckets to catch drips in the loft. Do not go on to the roof itself.
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5Photograph and document everything
Before you start mopping up or moving things, take clear photographs of all visible damage — the ceiling, any damp walls, the loft space if accessible, water marks, and the area directly below where water is entering. These photographs are essential for your insurance claim. Take them from multiple angles and note the time and date. Video is even better — a short phone recording walking through the damage is extremely useful for insurers.
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6Call an emergency roofer
Once you have contained the immediate situation and documented the damage, contact an emergency roofing contractor. Most reputable local roofers offer emergency call-outs — search "emergency roofer [your town]" and call, rather than filling in a web form. A phone call gets a faster response. When you speak to them, describe the type of roof (pitched tiles, flat, etc.), where the leak appears to be, and how long it has been leaking. A good roofer will be able to advise on whether the situation requires same-day attendance.
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7Contact your home insurer
Call your buildings insurer as soon as possible — ideally the same day. Most policies require you to report damage promptly. Have your policy number to hand and give them the facts clearly: when you noticed the leak, what damage has occurred, and whether you have contacted a roofer. Ask specifically whether emergency call-out costs are covered under your policy before the roofer attends, as some insurers will only cover costs pre-authorised by them.
Why Does a Roof Only Leak in Heavy Rain?
A roof that is watertight in light rain but lets water in during a downpour almost always has a specific underlying defect rather than a general failure. The heavy rainfall either overwhelms a small gap, reverses water flow under tiles in wind-driven rain, or saturates an area of roof that has partially deteriorated. Understanding the cause helps you have a more informed conversation with your roofer and know what to expect.
Cracked, Slipped, or Missing Tiles
The most common cause. A single broken or displaced tile creates a direct entry point that only becomes apparent in sustained rainfall. Wind-driven rain can push water uphill under adjacent tiles from even a small gap.
Failed Lead Flashing
Flashing around chimneys, dormer windows, skylights, and roof abutments is the most vulnerable part of any roof. As lead ages it cracks, lifts, or separates from the mortar. Small gaps are invisible in light rain but flood in heavy downpours.
Blocked Gutters and Downpipes
When gutters overflow in heavy rain, water backs up and pools along the eaves. This can force water under the felt underlay and into the ceiling — particularly in older properties where the underlay has shrunk away from the eaves edge.
Deteriorated Felt Underlay
The felt layer beneath your tiles is the secondary waterproofing layer. In roofs over 20–30 years old, this felt becomes brittle and splits. In light rain the tiles alone provide sufficient protection, but in heavy rain water penetrates through the tiles and the failed underlay cannot hold it.
Flat Roof Membrane Splits
Flat roofs — felt, EPDM, or GRP — develop small splits and blisters over time. Shallow ponding water in light rain may not enter through a hairline split, but sustained heavy rain creates enough pressure to push water through.
Ridge or Hip Tile Failure
Ridge tiles sit at the apex of the roof and are bedded in mortar. When this mortar cracks or crumbles, the ridge tiles shift and gaps open along the full length of the ridge — an entry point that becomes a waterfall in heavy rain.
What a Roofer Will Do When They Arrive
A reputable emergency roofer will first assess the situation safely — looking at the interior damage, going into the loft if accessible, and visually inspecting the exterior from the ground or from a ladder if the weather allows. They will not simply patch the first thing they see; a good roofer will try to identify the true source of the leak, which is often not directly above where the water is entering the ceiling.
In an emergency attendance during or just after rainfall, the priority is making the roof watertight rather than carrying out a perfect repair. Expect the roofer to:
- Apply a temporary waterproofing solution — mortar, flashing tape, or a roof repair compound — to the most likely entry point
- Replace any visibly broken or slipped tiles if it is safe to do so
- Recommend a follow-up inspection once the weather clears to fully diagnose and permanently repair the underlying cause
- Provide a written report if you need one for your insurance claim
Will Home Insurance Cover a Roof Leak?
This is the question most homeowners ask immediately after containing the damage. The answer is: sometimes — and the details matter a great deal.
| Cause of Leak | Typically Covered? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Storm damage (tiles blown off, flashing lifted) | ✅ Usually yes | Insurers typically define a "storm" — windspeed thresholds apply. Document the storm date and check Met Office records. |
| Sudden accidental damage | ✅ Usually yes | e.g. a falling tree branch breaking tiles. Photographic evidence of the cause is essential. |
| Gradual deterioration or wear and tear | ❌ Usually excluded | Most policies exclude damage that develops over time. Failed underlay, general tile ageing, and crumbling mortar are unlikely to be covered. |
| Poor maintenance or pre-existing damage | ❌ Usually excluded | If a roofer has previously flagged a problem and no action was taken, insurers may decline the claim. |
| Internal damage (ceiling, plasterboard, flooring) | ✅ Often covered | Even where the roof repair itself isn't covered, the resulting internal damage may be. Check your policy wording carefully. |
When you call your insurer, be factual and specific. Do not speculate about the cause — let the roofer's report speak for itself. If your claim is declined, you can ask for the decision in writing and challenge it, particularly if storm damage is the cause and you can evidence the weather conditions on the date of the leak.
What to Look Out for When Hiring an Emergency Roofer
Unfortunately, roof leaks and storms attract rogue traders who knock on doors offering quick fixes at inflated prices. Knowing what to look for protects you when you're vulnerable and under pressure.
⚠️ Warning Signs
- Unsolicited knock at the door offering to fix your roof
- Cash only, no written quote or invoice
- No verifiable business address or company number
- Pressure to pay in full upfront before work starts
- No public liability insurance offered in writing
- No reviews or verifiable online presence
✅ Signs of a Legitimate Roofer
- Found through Google, with a verified Business Profile and reviews
- Provides a written quote before any work begins
- Has public liability insurance — will provide the certificate
- Asks for a deposit only (typically 20–30%), balance on completion
- Gives you a written report suitable for your insurer
- Recommends a follow-up full inspection rather than just a patch
After the Emergency: Preventing It Happening Again
Once the immediate crisis is resolved and a permanent repair has been made, the most important thing you can do is arrange an annual roof inspection — ideally every autumn before the UK's storm season begins. A professional roofer can spot minor issues before they become major problems: cracked tiles, failing mortar, blocked gutters, and ageing flashing are all easy and inexpensive to fix proactively but can lead to costly emergency situations if left.
- ✓ Book a full roof inspection after the emergency repair — not just a patch
- ✓ Have gutters and downpipes cleared every autumn
- ✓ Check your loft after every heavy storm for signs of damp or dripping
- ✓ Keep your insurance policy details accessible and review cover annually
- ✓ Get two or three quotes before any non-emergency repair work
- ✓ Ask your roofer to photograph their findings so you have a record
- ✓ Address any "monitor this" recommendations within one season, not indefinitely
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Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my roof is leaking in heavy rain?
First, turn off electricity to any affected area if water is near light fittings. Then contain the water with buckets and towels, and relieve any bulging ceiling by piercing it at the lowest point with a screwdriver to drain it in a controlled way. Take photographs for your insurance claim, then contact an emergency roofer and your insurer. Do not go on the roof yourself during rain or high winds.
Why does my roof only leak when it rains heavily?
A roof that only leaks in heavy rain usually has a small defect that can manage light rain but is overwhelmed by volume or wind-driven water. Common causes include cracked or slipped tiles, failed lead flashing around chimneys or dormer windows, blocked gutters causing water to back up under the eaves, or a deteriorated flat roof membrane with small splits that open under sustained water pressure.
Is a leaking roof covered by home insurance in the UK?
It depends on the cause. Storm damage that causes a sudden roof leak is usually covered by buildings insurance. However, gradual deterioration, poor maintenance, or general wear and tear is typically excluded. Contact your insurer as soon as possible and photograph all visible damage before any repairs are made. Even where the roof repair itself isn't covered, the resulting internal damage may be — check your policy wording carefully.
How much does emergency roof repair cost in the UK?
Emergency roof repair costs in the UK typically range from £150 to £600 for minor urgent repairs such as replacing slipped tiles or temporary waterproofing. More significant work such as replacing failed flashing or repairing larger areas of flat roofing can cost £500 to £2,000 or more. Always get at least two quotes unless the situation is genuinely dangerous and requires immediate attendance.
Can I temporarily fix a leaking roof myself?
From inside the loft, yes — you can place buckets, use waterproof tape on small splits in felt underlay, or lay heavy polythene sheeting over the interior of the roof above the entry point to redirect water. Never attempt to go on the roof yourself, especially in wet or windy conditions. Falls from height are a leading cause of fatal accidents in domestic settings. External temporary repairs should only be carried out by a professional.
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