1. Move what matters and make the room safe
Start directly below the leak. Get people and pets out from under it. Move electronics, furniture, rugs, and other belongings away from the wet area. Put a bucket under the drip and use towels to control splashing and keep the floor from becoming slippery.
Pay close attention to electricity. If water is coming through or collecting near a light, ceiling fan, outlet, appliance, wiring, or electrical panel, stay away from that area.
The CDC says never to turn power on or off while standing in water. Shut off the affected circuit or main power only if you can reach the panel safely without touching water. If you cannot, leave it alone and call an electrician.
2. Stay off the roof while it is raining
John's advice in the video is direct: do not go outside and try to fix the roof during the storm.
A wet roof is not the place to improvise with a ladder, tarp, roof cement, or sheet metal. Even professional roof tarping requires the right conditions and fall protection.
OSHA's roof-tarping guidance says not to install a tarp during a storm when it is windy or raining.
Work only from inside, and only where you can do so safely. The exterior inspection can happen after conditions improve.
3. Should you go into the attic?
Only if you have safe access and know where it is safe to step.
Many unfinished attics lack a plywood floor. The insulation and drywall between framing members will not support you. Use only a proper walkway or stable attic flooring intended for access. If there is no safe walking surface, or you are not sure, do not enter.
Stay out of the attic if you see standing water, wet electrical components, sagging material, or anything that makes the area feel unstable. You do not need to crawl across the attic and chase the leak. Safety comes first.
4. Catch the water before it reaches the ceiling
If you can safely see where water is dripping through the underside of the roof, try to contain it there before it spreads into the insulation, drywall, paint, and rooms below.
John's simplest method is a bucket with a stable base:
- Place a sturdy board across solid framing members near the drip.
- Set the bucket on the board so it is not resting on insulation or ceiling drywall.
- Keep an eye on the bucket and empty it before it overflows.
The board is there to support the bucket, not to create a walkway for you.
The place where you catch the water inside may not be the exact spot that needs repair outside. Water can move along roofing materials and framing, so leave the final diagnosis to the inspection.
5. Divert water when a bucket is not enough
For a larger or awkwardly placed leak, John shows two ways to guide the water to a safer location.
Use a leak diverter with a hose outlet
A
leak diverter is a sheet of plastic designed to hang beneath a leak. Water collects at a low point and drains through a hose. Route the hose to a sink or another safe discharge point where it will not create a second wet area.
Make a temporary diverter from plastic
If you cannot get a purpose-built diverter, a heavy plastic bag or sheet can serve as a short-term substitute. Secure it below the leak to solid framing without puncturing the roof deck or contacting wiring. Shape one corner into the low point, make a small opening there, attach a funnel and hose, and route the water to a safe drain.
If you cannot set this up safely, use a bucket and wait for help. Do not turn a roof leak into an attic fall or electrical emergency.
These are temporary water-control methods. They do not repair the roof.
6. Photograph and video the damage
Document the situation before you clean up or make temporary repairs, provided it is safe to do so.
The Pennsylvania Insurance Department recommends taking photos or video first and contacting your insurer as soon as possible.
Capture:
- A wide photo showing the whole room and where the leak is located
- Close-ups of the ceiling, walls, flooring, and damaged belongings
- Video of the water while it is actively entering
- The visible entry area in the attic, but only if you can photograph it safely
- Receipts for supplies or temporary work related to the damage
Coverage depends on the cause of the leak and the terms of your policy. Good documentation does not guarantee coverage, but it provides your insurer with a clearer record of what happened and what you did to limit further damage.
7. Call a local roofer and explain what is happening
Call a roofer you trust and tell them:
- Where do you see water inside
- Whether the leak is still active
- When it started
- Whether water is near electricity
- Whether you can see anything from a safe spot in the attic
- Whether you have photos or a video to send
During several days of steady rain, roofing schedules can fill up quickly as many homeowners call at once. These interior steps can help control the damage while you wait, but the roof still needs to be inspected and fixed from the outside when conditions are safe.
For homeowners in Joyland's south-central Pennsylvania
service area, you can review our
roof repair service or
contact Joyland to report an active leak. Call
717-459-3499 to speak with the team.
What not to do during an active roof leak
- Do not climb onto a wet roof.
- Do not try to install a tarp during wind or rain.
- Do not touch wet lights, outlets, wiring, appliances, or electrical equipment.
- Do not enter an unfinished attic if you cannot clearly identify a safe walking surface.
- Do not set a bucket directly on insulation or ceiling drywall.
- Do not treat an interior bucket or plastic diverter as the repair.
