What to do right now
- Move what you can out of the way and catch the drip with a bucket
- If the ceiling is bulging with water, poke a small hole in the center to let it drain into the bucket. That keeps the drywall from coming down
- Take photos of the stain and of any damage you can see
- Don't go up on a wet roof
Where leaks usually come from
The stain is often nowhere near the leak. Water runs along rafters and decking before it drips. Common sources are cracked vent boots, loose flashing around chimneys and skylights, missing shingles, and ice dams along the edge of the roof in winter.