The short version
- Catch the water, cut power near wet fixtures, and stay off the roof.
- The leak is often far from where water shows up inside.
- Angi's Columbus data puts leak repairs at roughly $360 to $1,550.
- Fix leaks quickly: hidden rot and mold add to the cost.
In the first hour
- Catch the water. Put down buckets and towels, and move furniture, electronics and anything valuable out of the way.
- Watch for electrical hazards. If water is near light fixtures, outlets or the electrical panel, turn off power to that area at the breaker and keep people away.
- Relieve a bulging ceiling. If the drywall is sagging with water, stand to the side and poke a small hole at the lowest point with a screwdriver so it drains into a bucket instead of bringing the whole section down.
- Stay off the roof. Wet shingles are slippery, and a storm is the worst time to be up there.
- Take photos of the water, the stains and any damage, and note the date. You may need them for insurance.
Cover it, and call your insurer if a storm caused it
If rain is still coming, a roofer can put a temporary tarp over the problem area. If the leak followed a storm, the Ohio Department of Insurance advises contacting your insurer right away, and policies generally expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage. Keep receipts for tarps and cleanup.
Where roof leaks usually come from
The spot where you see water is often not where it gets in. Water gets under the roofing, runs along the decking and rafters, and drips down somewhere else. On Central Ohio homes, the usual sources are:
- Flashing around chimneys, skylights and where the roof meets a wall
- Pipe boots, the rubber collars around plumbing vents, which crack with age and sun
- Valleys, where two roof slopes meet and a lot of water runs
- Storm damage: missing, creased or hail-bruised shingles
- Ice dams in winter, when meltwater backs up under the shingles at the eaves. Read about ice dams.
- Clogged gutters that overflow back under the roof edge
What a leak repair costs
Angi's Columbus data puts roof leak repairs at roughly $360 to $1,550, flashing repairs at about $200 to $500, and roof repairs overall at an average of about $924. Hidden damage like rotted decking or mold adds to the cost, which is why it pays to fix a leak quickly.
Repair or replace?
A single leak on a roof that's otherwise in good shape is usually a repair. Leaks in several places, a roof past 20 years old, or leaks that keep coming back are signs replacement may cost less over time. See how to decide.
Will insurance pay?
Insurance generally covers sudden damage, like a storm tearing off shingles, not leaks caused by age or wear. Your policy is the final word. Read how roof insurance works in Ohio.