Safety first
- Do not climb on a wet or icy roof
- Turn off power to affected rooms if water is near fixtures
- Move furniture and valuables away from the drip
- Use a bucket and towel — not a fan blowing into open ceiling
Document before you patch
Take photos and short video of the stain, the attic if you can access it safely, and the exterior slope above the leak.
Note date, time, and weather. If this is storm-related, your carrier may ask for a timeline.
Temporary vs permanent
A tarp can help in active weather if it can be secured without walking on a steep pitch — many homeowners call a pro for emergency tarping.
Interior paint or ceiling patch without fixing the exterior source will fail again. Ask for a written exterior scope, not just a drywall quote.