What should you do when water is leaking from the roof into the house?
Short answer. Protect people and the electrical system first: turn off power to any wet light fixture or circuit, catch the water, and drain a bulging ceiling before it collapses. Then dry everything within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold, photograph the damage for insurance, and get the roof source tarped or repaired as soon as it is safe.
The first hour
- Electricity: if water is near fixtures, fans or outlets, switch off those breakers, and never touch wet electrical items.
- Ceiling bulge: set a bucket underneath and pierce the lowest point with a screwdriver, standing to the side.
- Contents: move furniture, rugs and electronics, and lay plastic down.
- Attic: if it is safe, set a pan or plastic to catch water and pull back wet insulation.
- Photos and video: before cleanup, record the stains, the wet items, and the roof as seen from the ground.
The next two days
- Run fans and a dehumidifier; Georgia humidity slows drying.
- Remove wet insulation and soaked carpet pad.
- Cut out drywall that is soft or sagging.
- Keep receipts for tarping, fans and cleanup, since reasonable steps to prevent more damage are usually part of a claim.
- Get the roof tarped or temporarily repaired.
Insurance basics
Sudden storm damage that lets water in is commonly covered, subject to your deductible, while damage from a slow leak or wear may not be, and coverage for interior damage depends on the cause. Report it promptly. See interior water damage coverage.
Mold
EPA guidance is to dry wet building materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold. Anything that stays wet longer, especially insulation and drywall, may need to be replaced rather than dried. For what usually lets the water in, see common leak causes.