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Act immediately

Water is coming in right now. Here is what to do.

An active roof leak is one of the most urgent home emergencies a homeowner faces. Every minute it continues, water spreads further into your structure. A professional tarp stops it at the source.

Schedule a Free Quote Now 24-48 hour response, coast-to-coast
Free on-site quote from a vetted, insured Seeker
Full before-and-after documentation for your insurance claim
No upsell, no roofing pitch. We tarp only.
Do these right now
1
Move valuables and electronics
Get anything water-sensitive out of the affected area immediately. Do not wait to see how bad it gets.
2
Place buckets and catch water
Limit interior water spread while you arrange a tarp. Lay down towels to protect flooring.
3
Do not pierce a bulging ceiling
A sagging, water-filled ceiling can collapse. Do not stand under it and do not puncture it yourself.
4
Document everything
Take photos and video of the ceiling, walls, and any visible exterior damage. This is critical for your insurance claim.
5
Contact your insurance company
Report the loss promptly. Most policies require notification as soon as reasonably possible after a covered event.
6
Schedule a professional tarp
The only way to stop the source is to seal the roof opening above. We can have a Seeker to you within 24-48 hours.
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Understanding active leaks

A leak showing inside means the breach in your roof happened some time ago.

By the time water appears on a ceiling or wall, it has already traveled through multiple layers of your roof system. The visible drip or stain is the end of the water's path, not the beginning. The source is somewhere above, and until that source is sealed, the leak will continue with every rainfall.

Patching from inside does not work. Applying sealant to a ceiling or interior wall addresses the symptom, not the cause. The only way to stop an active leak is to seal the entry point on the exterior of the roof. A professionally installed tarp does exactly that, immediately and reliably.

Active leaks are also among the most difficult to source without getting on the roof. Water can enter at one location and travel along rafters or sheathing before dripping somewhere entirely different. A Seeker assesses the roof directly to identify the actual breach and ensure the tarp covers it completely.

Storm and wind damage
Missing shingles, lifted flashing, or a breached ridge cap from a recent storm create immediate entry points for rain.
Failed flashing
The metal seals around chimneys, skylights, and vents are a common leak source. When flashing fails, water runs directly into the structure at those penetrations.
Tree or debris impact
A direct impact that punctures or displaces roofing material creates an immediate and often large opening that allows significant water volume in during rain.
Valley or ridge failure
Roof valleys channel large volumes of water. When valley material fails or is damaged, those high-flow areas become the primary leak source in heavy rain.
End-of-life shingle failure
Aging shingles that have lost their granules or become brittle can fail across a broad area simultaneously, creating a leak that presents without any specific impact event.
How fast water spreads

An active leak does not stay in one place.

Water follows the path of least resistance through your structure. Here is what is happening during and after a rain event with an active leak.

During rain
Active entry and spread
Water enters the breach and immediately contacts the roof deck. It runs along the path of least resistance, often traveling several feet from the entry point before dripping down.
Within hours
Insulation and framing saturated
Attic insulation absorbs water rapidly. Ceiling joists and rafters begin collecting moisture. The wet footprint is already larger than the visible drip location.
Within 24 hours
Drywall and finishes affected
Ceiling drywall absorbs moisture and begins to soften. Staining appears. Paint bubbles. In heavy leaks, ceiling panels can begin to sag within a single rain event.
After 48 hours
Mold risk and structural concern
Wet materials held at indoor temperatures are ideal for mold growth. Structural framing that stays wet begins to lose its integrity over repeated exposure.
The only fix is sealing the source above. Buckets and interior patching buy minutes, not solutions. A professional tarp on the roof stops the leak permanently until repairs are made.
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While you wait for your Seeker

Steps to limit interior damage right now

These steps will not stop the leak, but they can significantly reduce the interior damage that occurs between now and when your tarp is installed.

1
Clear the area below the leak
Move furniture, electronics, documents, and anything else that can be damaged. Lay down waterproof tarps or plastic sheeting on the floor to protect it. The water footprint is likely larger than the visible drip point.
2
Collect water and relieve ceiling pressure
Place buckets under all active drip points. If you see a ceiling bulging or sagging with pooled water, carefully puncture a small hole at the lowest point to drain it in a controlled way rather than risk a collapse.
3
Document everything thoroughly
Take photos and video of the interior leak, the ceiling staining, and any visible exterior damage. Capture timestamps. This documentation is valuable for your insurance claim and helps your Seeker quickly identify the breach location.
Insurance coverage

Leak caused by a covered event? Tarping is almost always reimbursable. But timing matters.

If your roof leak was caused by a covered event such as a storm, wind, hail, or a fallen tree, your homeowner's insurance will typically cover both the resulting damage and the cost of emergency tarping as a reasonable mitigation measure.

The critical factor is acting promptly. Most policies include a "duty to mitigate" clause, which requires you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage after a covered loss. If you do not tarp an active leak and water damage continues to accumulate, your insurer may deny coverage for the additional damage, arguing it was preventable.

We provide complete before-and-after documentation on every job. For active leak situations, this means photos of the interior damage, the roof breach, and the completed tarp, giving your adjuster a clear record of the event, the mitigation action taken, and when it was performed.

Interior damage photos documenting the leak and affected area
Exterior photos identifying the breach location on the roof
Post-tarp installation photos confirming the source is sealed
Written report with scope, measurements, and cost record
What we deliver on every active leak job
Pre-tarp photos of interior leak and visible damage
Exterior roof photos identifying the source of the breach
Post-tarp photos confirming full coverage of the breach
Written damage assessment with measurements
Itemized cost record formatted for adjuster submission
Pre-existing leaks: If your roof has had a known ongoing leak that predates any covered weather event, your insurer may classify the damage as a maintenance issue rather than a sudden covered loss. Documenting the condition of your roof after each weather event is the best protection against this outcome.
What to expect

How Get a Tarp responds to an active leak

From request to sealed roof, four steps with no surprises.

1
Submit your request
Fill out the short form online with your address and a description of the leak. Note whether it is an active situation so we can prioritize accordingly.
2
Seeker is routed to you
A vetted, background-checked, and insured Seeker is confirmed for your location. You will know who is coming before they arrive.
3
Breach located and quoted
Your Seeker gets on the roof, identifies the source of the leak, measures the affected area, and gives you a transparent on-site quote. No obligation to proceed.
4
Tarp seals the source
Once approved, the tarp goes on over the breach. Full documentation is delivered. The source is sealed and your insurance claim is supported.
Other damage types we cover
Storm damage
Tree on roof
Missing shingles
Active roof leak
Fire damage
Active leak FAQ

Questions about active roof leaks

Move anything valuable out from under the leak immediately. Place buckets under drip points. If you see a ceiling bulging with pooled water, carefully drain it at the lowest point to prevent a collapse. Do not stand directly under a sagging ceiling. Then take photos and video of the damage. Submit your quote request right away so we can get a Seeker scheduled. The interior steps buy you time, but only sealing the roof above stops the leak.
If the leak was caused by a sudden covered event such as a storm, wind, hail, or a falling object, your homeowner's insurance will typically cover the damage and the cost of emergency tarping. Leaks caused by long-term neglect or gradual deterioration are generally not covered. Acting quickly after a covered event and documenting the damage immediately is the best way to protect your claim.
Interior patches are a temporary and unreliable fix. Spray foam or sealant applied to a ceiling or attic space addresses the symptom, not the source. The water entry point is on the exterior roof surface and needs to be sealed there. A tarp on the outside of the roof is the only reliable way to stop an active leak until permanent repairs can be made. Interior patches may also affect your insurance claim by suggesting the condition was known and unaddressed.
That is very common. Water frequently travels several feet along rafters, decking, or ceiling joists before dripping down, meaning the visible leak location inside is often far from the actual entry point on the roof. Your Seeker accesses the roof directly and inspects the surface to locate the actual breach. This is one of the most important reasons to use a professional rather than trying to patch what you can see from inside or below.
Most residential tarp installations take between one and three hours, depending on roof type, damage scope, and site conditions. Your Seeker will give you a realistic time estimate during the on-site assessment.
Yes. A tarp is appropriate any time a roof has an open breach that is allowing water in, regardless of how long the issue has been present. The tarp stops further intrusion while you arrange a permanent repair. Keep in mind that a long-standing leak may not qualify for insurance reimbursement if your insurer determines it predates a covered event, but the tarp itself is still the right step to protect your home going forward.

Water is in. Let us seal it out.

Every hour an active leak continues, the damage grows. Get a professional tarp on the source, your documentation in hand, and your claim on solid footing.

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