A leaking roof is stressful, but the first hour is mostly about limiting damage, not fixing the roof itself. Here’s a calm, practical checklist to work through.
1. Contain the water
Move anything valuable out of the way first. Place a bucket or bowl under the drip. If the ceiling is bulging with trapped water, carefully pierce it with something like a screwdriver, directly under the bucket. This releases the water in a controlled way, rather than letting the ceiling collapse later.
2. Find the safe route to check it
Never get onto a roof yourself in wet or windy conditions — that’s how a leak turns into a much more serious problem. If it’s safe to do so, check the loft with a torch instead. Look for the wet patch on the underside of the roof. Then trace it back toward its likely entry point, which is often higher up the slope than the drip appears from inside.
3. Photograph everything
Take clear photos of the leak, the affected ceiling or wall, and any damaged belongings. This matters for two reasons. It helps a roofer diagnose the problem faster, and it’s useful evidence if you need to make an insurance claim. That’s particularly true after a storm, which we cover in our guide to storm damage and how insurance works.
4. Call a roofer, not just a handyman
A genuine leak needs a roofer who can identify the actual point of failure, not just patch the ceiling. Be wary of anyone offering an instant fix without inspecting the roof itself, because a leak that isn’t properly traced tends to come back.
5. Know what’s genuinely urgent
Water actively coming through the ceiling, or a large area of exposed roof timber, is urgent and worth an emergency call-out. A slow, occasional drip that only appears in heavy rain can usually wait for a scheduled visit. It’s still worth booking one soon, though, since small leaks rarely fix themselves. Our guide to the warning signs a roof needs replacing can help you judge how serious the underlying problem might be.
After the immediate emergency
Once the leak is contained, resist the temptation to ignore it just because the dripping has stopped. The cause is still there, and it will likely return with the next spell of heavy rain. Book a proper inspection, therefore, so the actual fault — a cracked tile, failed flashing, or a split membrane — gets fixed at the source.
We offer prompt call-outs across Twickenham and into Richmond upon Thames and Teddington for exactly this kind of urgent repair.
Related reading
- Slate vs Tile Roofing for Period Homes in Richmond upon Thames
- Fascias, Soffits & Guttering: A Homeowner’s Guide to Your Roofline
- Chimney Repairs, Re-Pointing and Removal Explained
- Velux & Roof Windows: Costs, Planning and Installation
- Storm Damage to Your Roof: What to Do and How Insurance Works
- Choosing a Trustworthy Roofer in South West London: 10 Questions to Ask
- Roofing in a Conservation Area: Rules for Richmond, Twickenham & St Margarets
- How Much Does a New Roof Cost in Twickenham & Richmond? (2026 Price Guide)