Roof leak: what to do first, and how tarping works

Make the room safe

• Water and power do not mix. Ready.gov says to turn off the electricity if it is safe to do so. Do not touch electrical equipment if it is wet or if you stand in water.
• Keep people out. Farmers Insurance says to keep people out of the area if water is near electrical fixtures or the ceiling sags.

Catch the water and protect your things

1. Put buckets or bins under every drip.
2. Move furniture, rugs and valuables out of the wet area.
3. Take photos and video of the wet ceiling, walls, floors and things. Do it before you clean up. Your insurer will want them.
4. Write a list of what got wet.

Dry out within two days

The EPA says to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold. The CDC says to use fans and dehumidifiers once the electricity is safe to use.

Drying is not enough on its own. The EPA warns that mold comes back if you do not fix the water problem. And the Insurance Information Institute says standard home policies generally do not cover mold, unless a covered peril caused it.

Emergency tarping: who does it

A tarp keeps rain out until the real repair. The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) says homeowners should look at a damaged roof only from the ground, and never climb up to fix it themselves. Call a roofer to put on the tarp. Travelers, an insurer, also says to contact a contractor who can do tarping. Find companies that list emergency roofing and confirm whether they can help with your leak.

OSHA’s safety sheet for tarping crews shows why. It says never to put on a tarp in wind or rain, and that a tarped roof is very slippery, most of all when wet. That is why this guide gives no steps to tarp a roof yourself.

If you use a ladder to look closer, OSHA’s ladder rules apply:

• Set it on a stable, level surface.
• Set the base one foot out from the wall for every four feet of ladder up to where it leans.
• An extension ladder must reach at least 3 feet above the edge it leans on.
• Keep three points of contact: two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand.
• Do not stand on the three highest rungs.
• Do not use a metal ladder near power lines.

Operation Blue Roof after a disaster

After some major disasters, FEMA asks the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to put free temporary covers on damaged homes. The cover is blue plastic sheeting, held down by strips of wood that are nailed or screwed to the roof.

• There is no charge to the homeowner.
• It is for a primary home. A roof with more than half of its structure damaged does not qualify.
• Some roofs do not qualify, such as flat roofs and metal, clay or slate roofs.
• You sign a Right of Entry form so the crew can work on your home.
• The cover is made to last about 30 days. Plan the permanent repair soon.
• Call 1-888-ROOF-BLU (1-888-766-3258) to ask whether it runs in your area.

These rules come from FEMA and Army Corps pages from 2017 and 2022. The program runs only in the areas named for each disaster, and each one can have its own rules. Tell your insurer about the damage too.

Insurance and a leak

The Insurance Information Institute says to contact your agent or insurer at once, and to take reasonable steps to protect your home from more damage. Save the receipts for what you spend. What the insurer pays for temporary repairs is part of your total settlement. Do not make large permanent repairs until the adjuster has seen the damage.

Whether a policy pays depends on the cause. Farmers says a leak from a sudden event the policy covers, such as wind or hail, may be covered. A leak from wear and tear, age, poor upkeep or long-term seepage usually is not. Your own policy decides. If a storm caused the leak, read our hail damage claim guide.

Find the leak, then repair or replace

State Farm says the most common leak spots are around the chimney, vents, skylights and valleys. In the attic, a leak often leaves dark stains on the rafters and the underside of the roof deck. A roofer can find the exact source.

State Farm adds that a newer roof may only need a repair, and an older roof may need replacement. Our guide to roof repair or replacement explains how to decide.

Pay with care, even in a hurry. The FTC says to pay by credit card or check, never by wire or cash, never to pay everything up front and never to sign over your insurance check. The NAIC says you do not have to sign an assignment of benefits to get repairs.

When you are ready, find roof repair contractors by city. Our roof leak planning page also helps you find companies for the job. The Roofing List checks that each phone works, the website is live and the website says the company does roofing, siding or gutter work. We do not check licenses or insurance. Check them yourself before you hire.