Roof leaking right now? What to do

Move belongings away from the drip, put a bucket under it and, if water is near a light fitting, switch that circuit off if the fuse box is dry and safe to reach. Then call or text Peak Roofing with where the water is showing and a photo if you can. Don’t go on the roof yourself.

Our work

Where roofs let water in

Lead, roof lights, flat roof edges and the eaves: the usual ways water gets in. See more of our roofing work

Lead flashing round an old glazed roof light

A new felt flat roof with lead flashing at the wall

Lead flashing where a clay-tiled roof meets a brick chimney

New lead between two slopes of an older slate roof

Eaves opened up: old felt and a bird’s nest behind the gutter

What to look for

Where roof leaks usually come from

Slipped or cracked tiles and slatesRain gets onto the felt and runs down to a joint or a nail hole.
ValleysThey carry the most water. Cracked mortar or debris makes them overflow.
Chimney flashing and flaunchingLifted lead, cracked flaunching or worn pointing on the stack.
Flat roofs over extensions and baysOld felt splits and lets standing water into the deck.
Where a roof meets a wallFailed flashing or mortar on an extension or porch roof.
Blocked guttersWater backs up under the bottom row of tiles.

What happens when you call about a leak

Tell us where the water shows
Text a photo if you can
We look at the roof
A price before any work
The repair, once you’ve agreed it

Roof leak repair in Lancashire starts on the roof

Water coming in now? Call or text first, and see what to do straight away above. A stain on the ceiling is where the water ends up, not always where it gets in. It can run along the felt or a rafter for a metre or two first. That’s why the roof itself is what we look at: tiles and slates, valleys, lead flashing, the chimney and any flat roofs.

Leaks round chimneys, valleys and roof lights

Chimneys leak at the top (cracked flaunching, open pointing) and at the base (lead flashing that has lifted). Valleys leak when the mortar cracks or debris builds up. Roof lights and bay roofs leak where their flashing has failed. Each needs a different fix, which is why it matters where the water gets in. See chimney repairs and roof repairs.

Felt being dressed up to a wall, where a flat roof meets the house

Flat roof leaks

Flat roofs over extensions, garages and dormers are a common source of leaks into bedrooms. If the deck underneath is sound, the leak can usually be repaired. If the covering has had its day, we’ll explain the options, including a new felt or fibreglass roof. More on flat roofing.

Will my home insurance cover a roof leak?

It depends on your policy and the cause. Many policies cover sudden storm damage but not wear and tear. Check your policy wording or ask your insurer before the work.

Questions

Roof leak questions

How quickly can you come out to a roof leak?

Call or text and we’ll tell you when we can get there. If you can’t get through, text a photo of the ceiling and your town.

How do I find where my roof is leaking?

From inside, look for the highest point of the stain and check the loft above it with a torch. But the way in is often further up the roof, so it needs looking at from outside. Don’t go on the roof yourself.

Can a roof leak be fixed in the rain?

Most roof repairs need a dry spell to be done properly, so the work is planned around the weather.

Is a leaking roof covered by home insurance?

It depends on your policy and the cause. Sudden storm damage is often covered; wear and tear usually isn’t. Check with your insurer.

What if the roof needs more than a repair?

We’ll tell you and explain why. See new roofs and re-roofs.

Roof leak repair across Lancashire