There are many reasons why a roof may leak, sometimes nothing more sinister than age and general wear and tear. Tiles may come loose in bad weather or roofing felt may become damaged over time. Whatever the reason a leaky roof can still pose a problem if left unrepaired.
Move things
Move as much as you possibly can out of the way of the leak. While the water may cause damage, there will be far more damage should the ceiling drop down onto things.
Contain the water
Do your best to collect the water in plastic buckets or bowls. Use towels to mop the wet area and keep emptying the water from the containers.
Take pictures
It is important that for insurance purposes you provide as many pictures as possible of the leak and any damage, particularly if the leak makes the house uninhabitable.
Contact a roofing expert
You should do this as soon as you can. They will be able to give you a better idea of what caused the leak and how it can be repaired.
Note: The homeowner will need to talk to the insurance company to confirm that you can hire whoever you want to do repairs.
If you suspect a leak then check the ceilings and the carpet in the area you think the leak is happening.
You should also look for signs of water marks or stains, and damp patches on the floor.
Signs of leaks also include damp, musty smells. This may come from the loft and may also smell like damp wood.
It is a good idea to take a torch with you if you need to look in the loft. Should you find a damp spot, use a pencil and draw around it so that you can see if the size increases with the next rainfall.
If you know that you have not had rain but have found a leak then you should consider that the boiler may be housed above the area and be leaking. This can be very serious and you should get someone in to check it out as soon as you can.
If you suspect that the roof is leaking then do not be tempted to climb up and inspect it yourself. Rather, call a professional and let them do the job safely.
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