Leaking roof? Don't panic! A checklist of the most common leak points, plus basic repairs you can do yourself

Every rainy season, water dripping from the ceiling keeps homeowners up at night. But before you panic or reach for your wallet to call a tradesperson, check the most common leak points and assess the damage first — some problems you can easily fix yourself and save money.

3 common spots to check when your roof leaks

Before you repair anything, you need to find where the water is coming from. The spots that cause problems most often are:

• Joints between roof tiles: tiles can lift or shift in strong wind, or crack with age
• Ridge caps: the mortar bedding deteriorates and cracks, or the joint flashing reaches the end of its life, letting rain seep in through the gaps
• Gutters and valleys: often blocked by leaves and debris, so water can't drain fast enough and backs up under the roof

Basic roof-leak repairs you can do yourself

If you find a small or minor leak, you can fix it with these steps:

• Clean the surface: scrub off moss, dust and loose mortar, then let the surface dry completely
• Seal the cracks: for a crack in a roof tile, apply waterproof silicone or brush on acrylic waterproofing over the crack, overlapping at least 5 centimetres beyond its edges
• Seal the joints: for joints or ridge-cap seams, use joint flashing tape and press it down firmly, then brush another coat of waterproofing over it for durability

Precautions and safety you mustn't overlook

DIY home repairs save money, but safety must always come first — especially when water is dripping near wiring, light fittings or the fuse box — switch off the power to that area immediately to prevent the danger of a short circuit.

Also, if you find that the roof structure — such as the rafters, purlins or timber battens — shows signs of rot, the steel is rusted and sagging, or tiles are broken over a wide area, we strongly advise against climbing up to repair it yourself. Call a roof-structure specialist for the safety of you and your loved ones.