First Hour: Protect People and Electricals
A roof leak in Singapore tends to show up first as a damp patch on the ceiling, sometimes followed by a drip, and during heavy storms by a steady stream. The single most urgent risk is water reaching an electrical fitting — a downlight, a ceiling fan, or a power point.
If water is anywhere near an electrical fitting, switch off the relevant circuit at the consumer unit. Do not stand under the leak. Move furniture, electronics, and rugs out of the drip zone first, then deal with the water.
Catch the Water
A wide flat container (a roasting tray, a large basin) under the drip catches more than a tall narrow bucket and is less likely to overflow if you cannot empty it for a while. Lay an old towel inside to mute the noise if the drip is keeping anyone awake.
If there is a bulging patch on the ceiling, gently pierce the lowest point with the tip of a screwdriver into your container. This sounds counterintuitive, but a controlled drip is better than a sudden ceiling collapse that dumps litres of water at once.
Document Everything for Insurance and the Contractor
Take photos and videos of the leak in progress — the water coming through, the ceiling stain, any affected furniture or electronics, and the room from a wide angle. Note the time and the weather. Keep records of the conversation if you call your insurer.
Home insurance in Singapore varies widely on what is covered. Sudden accidental water damage from a storm is often covered; gradual leaks from poor maintenance often are not. The documentation makes a difference if you ever claim.
What Not to Do
Do not climb onto a wet roof during or right after a storm. Roof falls in Singapore cause serious injuries every year — wet tiles and membranes are very slippery. Whatever you can see is best diagnosed by a contractor with proper equipment.
Do not let a random "uncle" sealant patcher slap something on the roof the next morning. Cheap patches with the wrong product can void existing waterproofing warranties and make the eventual proper fix more expensive. A patch in the wrong place can also trap water and accelerate damage.
The Day After: Diagnosis Before Repair
Once the rain stops, the priority is finding where the water actually got in — which is rarely directly above where it dripped inside. Water travels along the underside of slabs and inside ceiling voids before finding a drop point.
A proper diagnosis usually involves a roof inspection, sometimes a moisture meter, and occasionally a controlled water test (running a hose on different sections of the roof to reproduce the leak). Skipping this step and going straight to "waterproof the whole roof" is how people spend $15,000 and still have a leak.
Calling DirectHome
If the leak is small and contained, you can wait until business hours. WhatsApp us photos and a description of when it started, and we will arrange a site visit within a few days.
If you have active flooding through the ceiling, large amounts of water near electricals, or any structural concern, message us immediately. We can coordinate an emergency tarpaulin cover or temporary protective measure to get you through the night before a proper diagnosis the next day.
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