Have you noticed a drip from the ceiling or a damp patch that seems to be spreading on the plasterboard? Don’t worry, you are not alone. Roof leaks don’t always arrive with dramatic weather. Leaks can come from wear and tear, slipped tiles, tired flashing, aging felt or a cracked seal. Whatever the cause, the goal is the same: limit further damage, keep your property safe and arrange a professional repair as soon as possible.
At LD Roofing, we handle emergency call outs across the Northamptonshire area and we want you to have clear, practical guidance that you can use right now. This is a general plan for a temporary roof leak fix that keeps you safe and protects your home until a qualified roofer gets there.
First things first: safety
As we all know water and electricity don’t mix. If you have a leak that is near lights, switches or the consumer unit, isolate that circuit from the fuse board. Also make sure to keep children and pets away from the affected area. With situations like this you want to put on sturdy shoes, grab a torch and take your time. For something like this you want to avoid going onto the roof as most temporary fixes you can do are inside and at ground level.
Find the source, or at least the path
Take some time to go into your loft or attic to look for any obvious signs of moisture. You will want to use a torch to check the rafters, underfelt, nails and junctions around chimneys or rooflights. It’s important to remember that water often travels along timber before it drops so the damp patch in your ceiling might be a metre or two away from where water actually gets in.
If you find that your insulation is drenched, carefully peel it back to expose the timber and decking below. You will want to bag up the worst of it to ensure it doesn’t keep adding further moisture into the surrounding areas. By doing this you can reveal where the water is moving from so you can control it until professionals arrive.
A quick clue to look for is that fresh leaks feel cold and leave clean tracks. However, older leaks smell musty and show darker staining. Either way it is best to note what you can see so we can then diagnose the issue quicker when we arrive.
Contain and control the water
The simplest and most effective temporary roof leak fix is controlling the water drainage.
- Put a bucket, washing-up bowl, or storage tub under the drip.
- Drop a towel in the bottom to stop splashing.
- Rotate containers before they fill.
- Wipe down damp timber and plasterboard with microfiber cloths to slow the spread.
If you notice a bulge forming in the ceiling, that’s water pooling above the plasterboard. Place a container beneath the lowest point, then you want to carefully pierce the bulge with a screwdriver to release the water. It can feel counterintuitive, but it can prevent a messy collapse and wider damage to your property.
Protect what matters
Your home is full of items you don’t want to become damaged, so try to move furniture, rugs and electronics away from the leak path. If you have items that can’t be moved, slide a plastic sheet, tray or even bin liners underneath to create a barrier. Also laying down towels to protect flooring and changing them out as they get saturated helps to avoid added moisture collecting.
Improve airflow and reduce damp
Good ventilation slows mould growth and helps timber dry. Crack a window in the affected room if conditions allow. It’s best to open internal doors to improve airflow, then shut them if you start to notice draughts blowing moisture deeper into the house. In your loft space, a small desk fan aimed across the damp area can help evaporate the surface moisture over time. However you will want to avoid heaters up there since space is tight, surfaces are combustible, and you might drive moisture deeper into materials you’d rather keep dry.
What not to do
It can be very tempting to plug the leak from the inside with silicone, expanding foam, or tape. Please don’t do this, as it can have a very different impact as it blocks the water path inside it and will often force it sideways into hidden voids where you cannot see it. This can then lead to multiple damp patches and a bigger repair later on.
Also don’t rip out any large sections of underfelt, cut timbers or drill through roof coverings from below. By doing this you can create structural or weatherproofing issues that then add further complication to the professional fix.
If you must divert drips, do it gently
For any slow, persistent drips, you can create a simple drip diverter. Tape a clean plastic sheet to the rafters so it will form a shallow channel that guides water into a bucket. You want to keep the tape on the timber, not on the underfelt or membranes. This is a temporary fix that you will need to check on regularly to ensure it is still working and that water isn’t soaking the insulation and ceilings.
Exterior covers, but only when truly safe
This guide is general for a reason. The outside of the roof is risky at the best of times, and alot of injuries happen when people rush. If, and only if, conditions are calm and you can access a low roof edge safely from stable ground with a second adult present, you might place a temporary cover at eaves level.
- Map the area from inside first so you know roughly where the entry point is.
- Use a heavy-duty tarp or roofing membrane that extends at least a metre beyond the suspected point.
- Secure at the edges with sandbags or timber battens tied to safe anchor points. Avoid nailing through coverings.
- Keep gutters partially flowing so water has a route off the roof.
If you can’t do this without climbing onto the roof, skip it and wait for a professional. The goal is to limit damage, not add risk.
Document everything
Taking a few photos and notes saves both time and money. You want to take clear pictures of the damp areas, the loft view and anything you’ve done to manage the leak. Also jot down when you first notice the problems and whether there are any changes with wind direction, heavy traffic vibration or any odd noises. Like with anything, insurers want to see evidence and so do roofers as it helps them plan how to tackle the problem and access the source. At LD Roofing, these details help us turn up with the right slate or tile profile, proper flashing materials, and the fix goes faster as a result.
After the leak slows
Once the leak has slowed, you need to keep the area ventilated. Using a dehumidifier can help to dry out rooms however do not point them directly at soft plaster that’s still curing from water exposure. After the roof is watertight, it’s time to replace any soaked loft insulation as wet insulation loses its performance and may hold excess moisture against the timbers.
Common causes of non-storm leaks
- Ageing or brittle flashing around chimneys and rooflights
- Slipped or cracked slates and tiles from thermal movement
- Perished seals around vents and solar mounts
- Blocked valleys or gutters forcing water sideways
- Nail fatigue and small holes in older underfelt
- Hairline cracks in flat roof membranes at seams or upstands
Each has its own permanent remedy. That’s why one-size tubes and quick patches often fail. A good repair respects how the roof was designed to shed water.
When to call LD Roofing immediately
Ring us straight away if you see any of the following:
- Rapidly growing ceiling bulges or staining on multiple rooms
- Water near downlights, the consumer unit, or visible sparking
- Visible sagging or cracking of rafters or purlins
- A strong, sour, damp smell that makes you feel unwell
- Water tracking down inside walls across floors
We operate a responsive service for emergency leaks and can talk you through safe steps while we’re en-route.
How LD Roofing handles a temporary roof leak fix
Experience and method matter. On arrival we will:
- Trace the true entry point using moisture mapping and a systematic inspection.
- Make a safe, targeted temporary weatherproofing measure where appropriate.
- Protect interiors and advise on drying, dehumidification, and what to discard.
- Provide a clear, written plan for permanent repair that aligns with UK best practice and manufacturer guidance.
You’re not just getting a patch. You’re getting a repair strategy that considers the whole roof system, warranties, and future maintenance.
Contact Us Today
A temporary roof leak fix is about control, not heroics. Keep people safe. Guide water where you can see it. Protect your belongings. Avoid sealing from the inside. Record what’s happening. Then let qualified roofers put things right.
If you need help now, contact LD Roofing. We will listen, advise on immediate steps, and get you booked in for an inspection and repair so your home stays dry and sound. Your roof protects everything beneath it and we treat it with the respect it deserves.
