It’s one of a building or home owner’s worst fears. The rain is hitting against the windows, and suddenly, you hear the noise that nightmares are made of: drip… drip… drip. You spot the water spot spreading on your ceiling as you keep looking up for more. You grab your phone and call your local roofing company, only to hear what you feared most: “We’re overwhelmed with emergency calls at the moment. We can’t safely get a team to you until the storm stops.”

Do not panic. While a professional repair is the ONLY permanent solution, there are critical steps you can take right now, while the rain is still falling, to control the situation, minimize the damage, and protect your building.

This is your emergency action plan.

A CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING REGARDING LEAKS ON YOUR ROOF

Do NOT go on your roof. Never, ever attempt to climb onto your roof during a rain or wind storm. A wet, sloped surface is incredibly dangerous, and no emergency fix is worth a life-threatening injury. All the steps below are designed to be done from the inside of your home.

Phase 1: Damage Control Inside Your Living Space

Your first priority is to contain the water you can see and protect your belongings.

1. Contain the Drip: Grab the largest bucket, trash can, or plastic storage bin you have. Place it directly under the active drip. If the drip is splashing, place a small towel or sponge in the bottom of the bucket to absorb the sound and stop the splash.

2. Move Your Valuables: Immediately move all furniture, electronics, rugs, and any other valuables out of the affected area. Water can destroy electronics and permanently damage wood and upholstery.

3. Address a Bulging Ceiling: This is the most urgent step. If you see the water is forming a “bubble” or “bulge” in your ceiling, the drywall is saturated and in danger of collapsing.

   • Get a large bucket and place it directly under the bulge.

   • Take a sharp object (like a screwdriver or an awl, not a knife).

   • Carefully puncture the center of the bulge. This will allow the water to drain in a single, controlled stream into your bucket, relieving the weight and preventing a massive, destructive drywall collapse.

4. Manage the Spread: Use old towels, blankets, or even diapers (they are super absorbent!) to soak up any water that has already hit your floor. Create a “dam” with rolled-up towels to keep the water from spreading.

Phase 2: Go to the Source (If You Can Safely)

If you have a safe, accessible attic, you may be able to slow the leak at its entry point. Only do this if you can move around your attic safely.

1. Gear Up: Grab a powerful flashlight, your phone (fully charged), and a bucket.

2. Be Careful Where You Step: Only step on the ceiling joists or solid wood platforms. Never step on the drywall or insulation, as you can fall right through the ceiling.

3. Find the Leak: This is the hardest part. Water rarely drips straight down. It often hits the underside of the roof deck, runs down a rafter, and finds the lowest point to drip from.

   • Start at the spot directly above the leak in your living space.

   • Look “upstream” from there. Use your flashlight to look for wet wood, dark stains, or a glint of water running down a rafter. On a sunny day, you’d look for daylight, but in a storm, you’re looking for water.

4. Set Up a “Leak Diverter”: If you find the source, you can’t “patch” it from the inside while it’s wet. Your goal is to catch it and re-route it.

   • The Bucket Method: If it’s a slow, steady drip, place a bucket directly under it in the attic. This stops the water from ever reaching your ceiling.

   • The Tarp Method: If the leak is more spread out, you can create a temporary “funnel.” Lay down a large, waterproof tarp. Use staples or small tacks to attach the corners to the roof rafters around the leak, creating a sag in the middle. Place a bucket under that low point to catch all the water.

   • Emergency Patch (Last Resort): In a pinch, you can try to use roofing tar or caulk on the inside of the roof deck, but this is extremely difficult to do while the surface is wet and is a very temporary, messy fix. Focusing on diverting the water is usually more effective.

Phase 3: Document Everything and Prevent Mold

While you’re waiting for the storm to pass, become an insurance expert.

• Take Photos and Videos: Use your phone to document everything. Take videos of the active drip, photos of the bulging ceiling, pictures of your buckets, and photos of any damaged items. Get close-ups of the water stains and wide shots of the room.

• Encourage Airflow: Once the rain stops, even if the leak is still damp, you need to start the drying process. Turn on ceiling fans, and set up any box fans or floor fans you have to get air moving across the wet areas. This is your first line of defense against mold, which can start to grow in just 24-48 hours.

The most important thing you can do is get on a professional roofer’s schedule. Even if they can’t come out during the storm, make sure you are one of their first stops after it passes. What you are doing now is critical, but it is temporary. Only a professional repair will secure your home for the next storm.

We’re Here to Help

We know how stressful an active leak is, especially when you feel helpless. Follow these steps to take control of the situation.

As soon as the storm breaks, our teams will be ready to roll. Call us at (562) 735-0700 to get on our priority emergency list. We will find the source of the leak, provide a permanent solution, and help you get your building back to being the safe, dry place it should be.