If your roof is leaking: 1) catch the water and move belongings, 2) switch off electrics near the leak, 3) relieve any bulging ceiling with a small hole into a bucket, 4) check the loft if it is safe, 5) photograph everything for insurance, 6) do not climb on the roof, and 7) call an emergency roofer. Alpha Same Day Roofing covers Guildford and Surrey 24/7 on 07860 922109.
Key takeaways
- Contain the water first — buckets, towels, move furniture and electronics.
- Turn off electricity to any lights or sockets near the leak.
- Never go onto a wet roof yourself. Most roof injuries happen to homeowners.
- Photograph the damage before anything is cleaned up — your insurer will want it.
- Where water appears inside is rarely directly below where it is getting in.
The first 20 minutes: 7 steps to limit the damage
It usually happens at the worst time — 10pm, heavy rain, and a brown stain on the bedroom ceiling that has started to drip. Whether you're in a Victorian terrace in central Guildford or a 1930s semi in Merrow or Stoughton, the priorities are the same.
- Contain the water. Buckets, washing-up bowls, towels. Move furniture, rugs and anything electrical well clear.
- Make the electrics safe. If water is anywhere near a ceiling light, socket or switch, turn that circuit off at the consumer unit. Don't use it again until it has dried out and been checked.
- Relieve a bulging ceiling. If the plasterboard is sagging like a balloon, it is holding water. Put a bucket underneath and pierce the lowest point with a screwdriver. A small controlled hole is far better than the whole ceiling coming down.
- Check the loft — only if it's safe. Take a torch, stand only on the joists, and see if you can spot where water is coming in. Put a container under it and lay a board across the joists to take the weight.
- Photograph everything. Stains, drips, damaged belongings, and anything you can see on the roof from the ground. Do this before you clean up.
- Stay off the roof. Wet tiles are like ice. Temporary covers are a job for someone with the right access equipment.
- Call an emergency roofer. Our 24/7 line is 07860 922109. We'll talk you through anything urgent on the phone and get someone out — often the same day.
The most common causes of roof leaks in Surrey homes
Water is sneaky. It can enter at the ridge, run down the underside of the felt, track along a rafter and finally drip through a ceiling three metres from where it got in. These are the culprits we find most often:
- Slipped, cracked or missing tiles and slates — especially after high winds across the North Downs and exposed spots like the Hog's Back.
- Failed lead flashing around chimneys, dormers and where an extension meets the main wall.
- Blocked or cracked valleys — the channels where two roof slopes meet collect leaves and moss, particularly on tree-lined roads in East Horsley, Shere and Haslemere.
- Perished underlay. On roofs over 40–50 years old the felt beneath the tiles becomes brittle, so any wind-driven rain gets straight through.
- Loose ridge or hip tiles where old mortar has cracked and fallen away.
- Flat roof failure — splits, blisters and failed joints on felt roofs over extensions and garages.
- Blocked gutters overflowing back under the eaves.
Why does my roof only leak in heavy rain or wind?
This is one of the most common questions we're asked. If a leak only shows up in heavy or wind-driven rain, the usual cause is a small defect that copes with normal rainfall but is overwhelmed when water is pushed sideways or uphill — a lifted flashing, a slightly slipped tile, a cracked valley or perished underlay. These leaks don't fix themselves, and because they're intermittent they often cause hidden rot before anyone takes them seriously.
Temporary fix vs permanent repair
In a storm, the first job is to make the roof watertight — a temporary sheet, a replaced tile or a sealed flashing. The permanent repair is then done properly once conditions allow. A good emergency roofer will explain which is which, show you photos, and give you a written quote for the permanent work rather than pressuring you into a decision at the door.
If the damage was caused by a storm or falling tree, read our guide to storm damage and insurance claims. For an idea of price, see our Guildford & Surrey roof repair cost guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a leaking roof an emergency?
Can a roof leak be fixed the same day in Guildford?
Should I go on the roof to put a tarpaulin over the leak?
Why is water coming through my ceiling far from any obvious roof damage?
Written by the Alpha Same Day Roofing team. Checkatrade-approved roofers with over 20 years’ experience repairing and replacing roofs across Guildford, Surrey and London. This guide is general advice — every roof is different, so please book a free inspection for advice specific to your property.
