A leak log that helps your roofer find answers.

Make the call before perfecting the record

If water is entering now, tell the roofer that when you call. Describe the affected room and whether the problem is ongoing. Do not postpone help while trying to gather a complete photo collection.

Keep people away from sagging ceilings, wet electrical fixtures, and other unsafe areas. Do not go onto the roof, climb a ladder, or enter an unsafe attic to investigate. NRCA recommends homeowner observations from ground level and professional assessment and repairs. If an area is unsafe, say that plainly and leave the investigation to the appropriate professional.

Give each location a simple name

Start with the room and a fixed landmark: ‘upstairs bedroom, ceiling beside the front window’ is easier to revisit than ‘the spot on the left.’ If there are several affected areas, label them A, B, and C in your notes and keep the photographs grouped the same way.

Take a wider photograph showing the room location and a closer one showing the visible condition, only from a safe position. Save the originals. If you add arrows or labels, keep those as separate copies so the original view remains available.

Write down the timing

Note when you first noticed the problem and whether it appeared during rain, after rain, or in dry weather. Record whether it was dripping, staining, or changing in another visible way. If the water stops, add the approximate time rather than assuming the problem has resolved.

You do not need exact rainfall measurements. A short description of what you experienced is useful. Record observations rather than guesses about the cause, and tell the roofer when a detail is uncertain.

• Date and approximate time first noticed.
• Room and location label.
• Weather at the time and whether rain had recently ended.
• What changed: new stain, dripping, spreading, or stopping.
• Photograph names and any earlier occurrence at the same location.

Add the roof history you already have

Gather installation information, earlier repair invoices, relevant warranty documents, and previous inspection reports if they are readily available. Tell the roofer about recent work near the roof, including changes involving a chimney, skylight, solar equipment, or other rooftop equipment.

If a temporary measure has already been taken, describe who performed it, when it happened, and what was done. Share photographs or paperwork you already have. There is no need to recreate a leak, disturb materials, or carry out a water test yourself to make the appointment worthwhile.

Let the investigation establish the source

Water can travel before it becomes visible inside, and a ceiling stain can have more than one possible source. The roof entry point may not be directly above the mark. Give the contractor your observations without treating a suspected location as a confirmed diagnosis.

Before the visit ends, ask what was found, what remains uncertain, and whether the next step is a repair or further investigation. Request photographs and a written description of recommended work. Keep your leak log afterward, and record any recurrence with the same location labels so the follow-up conversation has a clear starting point.