Roof leaking: what to do, and in what order.
A calm checklist for tonight, and a plain way to decide what the roof needs once it is dry.
- Protect people and belongings first, then contain the water, then photograph it, then arrange a survey.
- Never climb onto a wet roof. Everything useful can be done from the ground and from the attic.
- A stain on a ceiling is where the water ended up, not where it came in: the real fault is usually higher up the slope.
- Guide prices, plus VAT: leak repair €400–€2,500, chimney repairs €800–€3,500, emergency storm repair €1,500–€8,000+.
The first hour, step by step.
When water is coming through a ceiling the instinct is to do something dramatic. Do the small, useful things instead, in this order.
- Keep people clear of the wet area, especially if the ceiling is bulging, because a bulge can hold a lot of water and come down all at once.
- Switch off power to any circuit that passes through the wet area if you can do so safely, and keep away from wet light fittings.
- Move furniture and valuables out of the way, and put a bucket under the drip.
- If a ceiling is bulging, piercing it gently with a screwdriver over a bucket lets the water out in a controlled way. Stand clear when you do it.
- Photograph the water and the damage with the date showing on the phone.
What not to do
Do not go onto the roof, however simple the fix looks. Wet slate and tile are slippery, falls from roofs cause serious injuries, and walking on old tiles breaks them. Everything we need to start can be seen from the ground and from the attic.
02 / The atticReading the attic.
If the attic is safe to enter, a torch and five minutes tell you a lot. Look for dark tide marks on the underside of the felt, wet or darkened timber, flattened insulation and any daylight. The marks tend to run uphill towards where the water came in, which is why the stain downstairs and the hole on the roof are rarely in the same place.
Take photographs of what you find, and note whether the wet area lines up with a chimney, a wall or a valley. Those are the most common places for a leak to begin, and that note helps the survey.
03 / Repair or moreHow to tell a repair from a bigger job.
| What you find | It is probably |
|---|---|
| One wet patch, rest of the attic dry | A repair: a slate, a flashing or a ridge |
| A wet patch beside a chimney or wall | Lead or the stack: see the lead flashing page |
| Water at several points on one slope | The felt or battens failing: repair or re-felt |
| Torn felt or daylight across a slope | A re-covering job rather than another patch |
| A flat roof that holds water and leaks below | A flat roof re-cover, with the fall corrected |
If one place is wet and the rest of the attic is dry, it is usually a repair. If water is coming in at several points, or the felt is torn across a slope, the covering is failing as a whole and the choice is between repeated patches and re-covering. The roof repairs page and the re-felting page explain each.
04 / InsuranceMaking a claim easier.
Many policies cover sudden storm damage and exclude wear and tear, and the difference is often in the evidence. Dated photographs of the damage, of the attic and of any temporary protection you put in place help your insurer see what happened. For urgent work, our emergency roof repair service produces a written, photographed report of the damage and the work.
05 / GuaranteesWhat comes with the repair.
Repairs and installation work carry a written 10-year workmanship guarantee from Recommended Roofing. A complete roof replacement also carries the Lifetime Leak Guarantee. A repair or a part-roof job stays on the 10-year cover, and your quote says which applies before you agree.
Ready for a survey? Use the form below and put the word urgent in the first line if water is coming in now.
A leaking roof in Waterford.
What should I do first if my roof is leaking?
Keep people away from the wet area, contain the water with buckets, move belongings and photograph the damage. Do not go onto the roof.
Is a bulging ceiling dangerous?
It can be. A bulge can hold a lot of water and fall suddenly. Keep clear, and if you let the water out, stand to one side with a bucket underneath.
Can I fix a leak with sealant myself?
A tube of sealant is a short-term patch at best and often hides the real entry point. It also means working on the roof, which is dangerous.
Why is the stain not under the hole?
Water runs along the felt, battens and rafters before it drips. The stain is where it ended up, and the entry point is usually higher up the slope.
Will my insurance cover a leaking roof?
Many policies cover sudden storm damage and not gradual wear. Read yours, and keep dated photographs and a written report.
How much does a leak repair cost?
The 2026 guide is €400–€2,500 plus VAT, with chimney work at €800–€3,500 plus VAT. The fixed price follows a survey.
How long does a leak repair take?
A simple repair is often done in a visit. A valley or chimney job takes a few days. The survey gives you the real time.
Should I clear the moss off my roof?
Not by pressure washing, which can strip granules and lift tiles. Moss is a sign of damp, and a survey will say whether it matters.
What if it only leaks in strong wind and rain?
That points to wind-driven rain getting under laps or flashings, often at a chimney or gable. Tell the surveyor when it happens.
Do you give a written report for insurers?
Yes, on emergency and repair jobs. It has photographs of the damage and the work and a plain description.
Get your roof
looked at.
Tell us what the roof is doing and roughly where in Waterford it is. Someone looks at it for free and a fixed written price follows. Send the form below.