First, limit the damage
- Catch the water. Place a bucket and move furniture, electronics and valuables out of the way.
- Relieve a bulging ceiling. If a ceiling is sagging with trapped water, carefully pierce a small hole to drain it into a bucket — a collapsing ceiling does far more damage.
- Switch off affected circuits. Water near light fittings or wiring is a shock and fire risk.
- Photograph everything for your insurance claim.
What usually causes roof leaks in SA
- Cracked, slipped or porous tiles
- Failed flashing around chimneys, walls and valleys
- Perished waterproofing on flat or low-pitch roofs
- Blocked gutters causing water to back up under the roof edge
- Rusted or loose screws on IBR/corrugated sheeting
Why you shouldn't wait
Water tracks along beams and trusses far from the entry point, rotting timber, ruining insulation and ceilings, and damaging wiring. A small leak fixed now (R800–R3,500) is far cheaper than the structural and ceiling repairs that follow a season of ignored leaks.
Get it inspected before the next rain
A verified roofer will trace the actual source — not just patch where it drips — and quote the real fix. Get free quotes from insured roofing contractors in your area, fast.