Guide · Home care
Roof and Attic Basics
A friendly, practical guide to spotting roof leaks from inside, keeping the attic healthy, and handling ice dams and storm damage safely from the ground.
Where to start
- Water dripping from above?
Move people, pets and valuables away. See if water drips from above.
- Spotted a stain or a storm just passed?
Look from the ground and from inside. See signs of a roof or attic problem.
- Just want good habits?
Work through the roof and attic checklist. Everyone stays on the ground.
The short version
The roof protects everyone below it, and you never need to climb it to help care for it. Noticing small signs early makes all the difference.
Watch ceilings for stains, bubbling paint or drips, especially near skylights, chimneys and the top floor. Check the roof from the ground after storms.
A healthy attic, with good insulation, air sealing and ventilation, helps prevent ice dams, moisture and mold.
If water drips from above, move things away, catch the water, take photos and share it right away. Stay clear of a bulging ceiling.
Rules about repairs and insurance differ from place to place, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the rules where your home is. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.
Four simple rules
- 1Stay off the roof
Roofs are slippery and high. Look from the ground, and leave climbing to trained, insured professionals.
- 2Small stains are big clues
A water stain, bubbling paint or a drip on the ceiling is worth sharing the day you notice it.
- 3A healthy attic protects the roof
Good insulation, air sealing and ventilation help prevent ice dams, moisture and mold.
- 4After a storm, look and document
Check from the ground and inside, take photos, and share any damage quickly.
Roof and attic checklist
From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. Noticing small signs early is the most valuable thing anyone can do.
If water drips from above
- Take a breath, and move people, pets and valuables away from the drip.
- If water is near lights, outlets or fixtures, stay away from them, and turn off that breaker only if you can reach the panel from a dry spot.
- Put a bucket or bin under the drip and a towel around it. A bulging ceiling is a sign to stay clear and call right away.
- Take photos and a short video of the drip, the stain and anything that got wet.
- Note the weather and the time, like heavy rain, wind or melting snow. It helps find the source.
- Share it in writing right away so it can be dried and repaired quickly.
A leaking roof is an emergency, and it should be handled as one. You did exactly the right thing.
Signs of a roof or attic problem
These are common signs, not a complete list. Binoculars or your phone camera’s zoom help you look from a safe distance.
- Inside: ceiling stains, peeling or bubbling paint, drips, a musty smell on the top floor, or stains around skylights and chimneys after rain.
- Outside, seen from the ground: missing or curling shingles, sagging areas, shingle granules piling up at the bottom of downspouts, or heavy icicles along the roof edge.
Draw a light pencil circle around a stain’s edge and write the date beside it. If it grows, everyone can see it at a glance.
Guides that go well with this one
Like it on paper?
The printable checklist for this guide is fillable, with a screen version and an ink saver print version. Keep it on your phone or pin it to the fridge.
How much do you remember?
4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.
Go deeper with The Perfect Yard
The outside of a home is where the question “whose job is this?” comes up most often. The Perfect Yard is a calm, plain guide for owners and residents who share the care of a yard, deck and outdoor spaces, one part of the yard at a time.
Keep the full guide handy
The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.
Download the PDFTake it with you
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More guides
This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal, insurance or safety-code advice. Please leave roof and attic repairs to qualified professionals. Bunklow does not inspect properties or make repairs.