As we approach the autumn and winter months, it means more storms will be on their way, bringing heavy rain and strong winds across the UK.

There’s no doubt the Met Office will be issuing various warnings throughout the seasons ranging from yellow, amber and in rare cases, red to alert people about the severe weather ahead.

During heavy rain, flaws in your roof can quickly become apparent.

Being prepared and knowing what to do when water starts leaking through the ceiling could save you more than £5,000 in damage and repairs, according to Toolstation.

@number4renovation Another oh no moment when our porch roof started leaking! All fixed now 🙈 #number4renovation #renovationproject #roofing #leaking #renovationuk ♬ Oh No - Kreepa

The experts have provided a step-by-step guide to dealing with a roof leak.

How to deal with a roof leak during a storm

Don’t panic

It may be easier said than done, but it’s important to stay calm. Often, the damage won’t look half as bad once it has dried out a little bit.

Turn lights off at the mains

Whatever you do, don’t touch the light switch as this could give you an electric shock. Find the breaker box and completely shut off the power.

This will protect you, and hopefully your wiring and electrics. It’s also a handy tip to keep a spare torch or battery light by your fuse box should you need to suddenly shut off the power.

Move furniture and valuables into another room

Obviously, one of the first things you should do is move furniture and valuables out of harm’s way. Move all that you can into a dry room and drape anything else with waterproof coverings.

Is it cheaper to keep the heating on low all day?

Use an empty bucket to collect water

Place an empty bucket under the leak. You may want to put an old rag or tea towel in the bottom to avoid that annoying dripping sound.

Remember, depending on the severity of the leak, you may have to empty this bucket as it fills up.

Puncture a hole for water to escape

This seems counterintuitive, but you want to minimise the extent of the water damage on the ceiling. Using a screwdriver pierce a hole by the leak for the water to escape through.

This provides an exit point for the water, so it doesn’t disperse across the ceiling. If you don’t do this, the entire ceiling could become damaged and could even collapse through.

Inspect the roof afterwards

Once the storm weather has passed, and if you’re confident in doing so, use a ladder to check the surface area of the roof. Often during a strong storm roof tiles can become loose or even detach from their fixtures causing gaps to appear and water to enter.

Sidmouth Herald: Have you had to deal with a roof leak in the past that cost you a lot of money?Have you had to deal with a roof leak in the past that cost you a lot of money? (Image: Getty)

If you’re confident you know where the rainwater is getting in you may want to consider covering the external surface with a tarpaulin so prevent further damage while awaiting repairs.

These are the signs your roof might be leaking

Often there are warning signs of a leaking roof, which if caught early enough can avoid potential water damage, such as:

  • A dark, damp stain on the ceiling is an obvious indication that you have a leak in the roof but peeling paint and mould can also suggest a problem.
  • You may also notice a musty smell in the attic or signs of water damage on the insulation, which can cause it to change colour.

For more information and the costs involved in repairing water damage, visit the Toolstation website.