My Roof Is Leaking: What to Do Right Now

Water coming through your ceiling? Do three things first: catch it inside with buckets and towels, move your furniture and valuables out of the way, and call a roofer. And do not climb up on a wet roof — that's the fastest way to turn a leak into an ER visit. Here's the whole thing in the order that matters.

Step 1: Catch the Water Inside

First job is damage control inside the house, because water keeps moving once it's in:

- Catch the drips with buckets, pots, trash cans — whatever you've got. If water's bulging in a ceiling bubble, poke a small drain hole with a screwdriver at the lowest point — bucket underneath first — so it drains in one controlled stream instead of spreading.

- Move things out of the way: furniture, electronics, rugs, anything that shouldn't get wet. Pull wet stuff out of the room entirely if you can.

- Lay down towels or tarps around the drip zone to catch splatter and protect the floor.

- If water's near electrical: kill the breaker to that circuit. Water and electricity don't negotiate.

Step 2: Stay Off the Roof in Bad Conditions

Wet shingles are slick as ice. Up on a slope in the dark or in lightning is genuinely dangerous. Wait for daylight and dry weather — or better yet, let a roofer do the climbing. That's what we're set up for.

One exception: if water is pouring in and you can safely throw a tarp from the ground or a secure ladder spot, a tarp can slow things down. But a tarp flung up in wind and rain by a stressed-out homeowner rarely holds, and it's not worth a fall. When in doubt, skip it.

Step 3: Take Photos Before You Clean Up

Before you move things and mop up, grab your phone:

- The drip spot and any ceiling stains or bubbling

- Water-damaged belongings and furniture

- The affected rooms from a few angles

- Later, when it's safe, the roof itself from the ground (missing shingles, damaged flashing, debris)

You might never need them. But if you end up talking to your insurance company, dated photos from the day you found it are the most useful thing you can have. (We can't promise insurance outcomes. Nobody can.)

Step 4: Call a Roofer — Here's What to Expect

Call sooner than later. In spring storm season, good roofers in Williamson and Maury County book up fast, and a small leak left alone turns into rotted decking and mold.

A good roofer will ask where the leak's showing, get you a quick free inspection, find where the water's actually getting in — often not right above the drip, because water travels — and tell you straight whether it's a simple repair or something bigger.

One warning: watch out for uninvited door-knockers during storm season pushing you to sign on the spot. Tennessee gets its share of storm-chaser outfits. Stick with a local, licensed and insured company whose reviews you can actually check.

What Usually Causes Leaks Around Here

Most of the leaks we find come from the same short list:

- Failed pipe boots — the rubber collars around plumbing vents crack in Tennessee heat and let water run right down the pipe. One of the most common leak sources there is, and usually a simple fix.

- Damaged or missing flashing — around chimneys, skylights, walls, and valleys. Flashing is where most roofs fail first.

- Storm-lifted or missing shingles — spring hail and wind gusts lift shingle tabs and break the seal. A shingle that looks fine from the street can be letting water in.

- Valley wear — roof valleys carry a ton of water, so they wear out faster than the rest.

- Clogged gutters — water backs up under the shingle edge when gutters can't drain.

An honest inspection tells you whether it's a simple repair or a sign of something bigger. That's the whole point of one.

After the Immediate Crisis

Once the water's contained and a roofer's on the schedule:

- Keep the room ventilated — a fan on the area helps things dry and keeps mold from getting started

- If you threw a tarp up, don't assume it holds — check it once the weather clears

- Hang onto your photos and any receipts for emergency stuff like tarps or water extraction — that matters for insurance conversations

- Ask your roofer to show you photos of what they found up there, not just tell you. Any trustworthy contractor does that as a matter of course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just put sealant on it from inside?

No. Interior sealant doesn't fix where the water's getting in — it just sends it down a different path. Real fixes happen on the roof, at the source.

Should I call a roofer during the storm or wait?

Call now. You don't need clear weather to get on the schedule. A good roofer comes out as soon as it's safe to inspect, and getting in line early matters in busy storm season.

Will my insurance cover a leak?

Depends on what caused it and your policy. Sudden storm damage gets treated differently than wear and tear. We can't promise any insurance outcome, but we can document what we find and give you an honest assessment to take to your agent or adjuster.

Water in the house is stressful, but almost every leak is fixable — and a lot of them turn out to be simple. If you're in Fairview, Franklin, Spring Hill, Columbia, or anywhere across Williamson, Davidson, Dickson, Hickman, Cheatham, Rutherford, or Maury County, call Rex Roofing at 615-801-0959. We'll get eyes on it fast, show you exactly what's going on, and give you a straight answer. Free inspection and estimate, with a virtual estimate within 24 hours.