Prioritize safety and containment. Do not attempt a permanent repair.

• Confirm safety first — Keep occupants away from the affected area. If water is near electrical panels, outlets, or lighting, shut off power to that circuit at the breaker. Never step into standing water near live electrical.
• Contain the water — Place buckets, trash cans, or tarps under active drips. Move furniture, electronics, and stored goods out of the water path. Lay down towels or mats to limit slip hazards and protect flooring.
• Protect the ceiling — If a ceiling is bulging with trapped water, do not puncture it blindly. Carefully relieve pressure with a small hole and a bucket underneath to prevent a larger, uncontrolled collapse.
• Photograph everything — Before you move anything or attempt a temporary patch, photograph the leak source, the water path, interior damage, and any exterior conditions (recent storm, ice, debris). Time-stamped photos support insurance and warranty claims.

Good documentation protects your insurance claim and helps the roofing contractor find the true source.

• Date and time the leak was first noticed
• Which building, floor, and unit number is affected
• Weather conditions at the time (rain, wind, storm name, temperature)
• Exact location of the interior water entry point
• Approximate location on the roof above that point (if known)
• Any recent roof work, repairs, or inspections on that section
• Photos of interior damage and exterior roof conditions
• Name and contact for the person reporting the leak

Commercial and condo roofs need a contractor who understands low-slope systems and occupied buildings.

• Call a commercial roofing contractor — For condominiums, commercial, and industrial buildings, call a contractor experienced with low-slope roof systems and occupied buildings — not a residential roofer. Datum Roofing: (609) 910-0668.
• Do not attempt a permanent repair yourself — Improvised patches on a membrane roof often trap water inside the assembly and make the real repair harder to find. A temporary tarp by maintenance is fine; a DIY membrane patch is not.
• Notify your insurance carrier — Open a claim early. Most policies require prompt notice. Share your photos and the documentation list above. Keep a record of every conversation and claim number.
• Communicate with residents or tenants — Let affected occupants know what's happening, what to expect, and who to contact. A short written update prevents a flood of individual calls to the management office.

Keep the paper trail clean so the next leak — or the next board — has what it needs.

• Keep all repair invoices, photos, and correspondence on file
• Schedule a full leak-detection assessment to find the true source
• Request a written warranty on any repair performed
• Ask for a roof condition report for your board or reserve study
• Document any follow-up damage that appears after the repair