Roof Leaking After Storm: Immediate Steps to Take

Water is dripping from your ceiling right now. Here's what to do in order of priority.

Right Now (First 10 Minutes)

Contain the water. Buckets, trash cans, storage bins under every drip point. If water is spreading across the ceiling before dripping, poke a small nail hole at the lowest bulge to create a controlled drain into a container. This prevents ceiling collapse.

Move valuables. Electronics, documents, photos, furniture — anything under or near the drip zone. Move it now, sort it later.

Kill the power. If water is near light fixtures, outlets, or any wiring, turn off the breaker for the affected rooms. Water and electricity is the one emergency worse than the leak itself.

Protect the floor. Tarps, plastic sheeting, garbage bags, towels — anything between the water and your flooring. Water on hardwood causes warping that's expensive to fix.

Next 30 Minutes

Find the entry point (if safe). Go into the attic with a flashlight. Follow the water trail — water runs along rafters and decking before dripping, so the drip in your ceiling may be several feet from the actual roof penetration point. If you can see the entry point, mark it mentally for the roofer.

Do not patch from inside. It's tempting to stuff something into a hole from the attic. Don't — this traps water above the patch and spreads the damage laterally. Water needs to drain, not be dammed.

Apply exterior protection if safe. If the storm has passed, it's daylight, and you can safely reach the damage area, a tarp over the penetration point stops additional water. See our tarping guide. If conditions aren't safe, wait for professional help. Our guide to temporary roof repair options covers additional methods — roofing cement, peel-and-stick patches, and spray sealant — that can help hold things together until your contractor arrives.

Next Few Hours

Document everything. Now that the immediate crisis is managed, photograph and video all damage — the drip points, ceiling stains, wet areas, and any visible exterior damage. This evidence supports your insurance claim.

Call your insurance company. File a claim. Report the leak and the storm that caused it. Get a claim number.

Call a roofer. Get a local contractor to assess the damage as soon as possible. If it's after hours, most established contractors have emergency numbers. An emergency tarping and assessment visit typically costs $200 to $800 and is reimbursable through insurance. Our guide to finding an emergency roofer in Fort Wayne explains what to look for, what to avoid, and how to vet a contractor quickly when you're under time pressure.

After the Immediate Crisis

Once the water is stopped, run fans and dehumidifiers in affected areas. Remove wet attic insulation. Watch for mold over the following days — musty smell, discoloration, or fuzzy growth on wet surfaces means you need remediation. For a breakdown of what interior water damage from a roof leak actually costs to repair — ceiling, drywall, insulation, mold remediation — see our water damage cost guide.

Don't make permanent repairs before the insurance adjuster inspects. Temporary protection is fine and expected. Permanent work before inspection can complicate your claim.

Get emergency help or call (260) 255-4551.