Roof leaking after heavy rain: what to record and what happens next

First, keep clear of the affected area

Keep people away from sagging or damaged ceilings, falling materials and water near electrical fittings. Do not touch wet switches or lights, open up a ceiling, or attempt a roof patch. If an immediate hazard is present, seek appropriate urgent help. Move belongings only if you can do so without entering the affected area.

If you rent, report the issue to the landlord or managing agent. If the roof is shared, tell the person responsible for the building and keep a copy of the report. Existing insurance arrangements may also affect the information you need to retain.

Write a short weather and leak timeline

Note the date, affected room, first visible change and whether the rain was prolonged or accompanied by strong wind. Say whether the water stopped when the rain stopped or appeared later. Photograph the same patch from the same safe position if its size changes. Avoid labelling it a failed tile, flashing or membrane before investigation.

• Mark the room and floor, and describe which external wall is nearest.
• Record earlier repairs, recent building work and any previous episodes.
• Keep original photographs and the dates of messages or visits together.

The wet patch may be away from the entry point

Water can travel within a roof before becoming visible inside. SPAB highlights this when discussing roof maintenance, which is why the covering immediately above a stain is not automatically the source. Depending on the property, assessment may need to consider a wall junction, chimney, valley, rooflight or drainage detail as well as the main covering.

Describe any rainwater overflowing at the outside edge from a sheltered, safe viewpoint. That observation can help set the inspection scope, but it does not establish that the gutter is the only defect. Damp may also need a wider building investigation when the cause remains uncertain.

Agree investigation and repair separately

Ask what the roofer has identified, what remains concealed and whether further access or opening-up is proposed. If temporary protection is recommended, ask what it is intended to achieve and how the permanent repair will be decided. Keep those stages distinct in writing so that an initial intervention is not mistaken for a complete solution.

When contacting Big Ben Roofing Ltd, send your postcode, the affected roof area and the timeline rather than choosing a repair product. Ask for the findings and agreed repair boundary to be explained before work is authorised.