Stop the leak tonight. Decide who fixes it tomorrow.

1 · Keep the inside dry first

Move furniture, lay towels, and put a bucket under the drip. If the ceiling is bulging, poke a small hole in the low point with a screwdriver to release water — a controlled drip beats a collapsed ceiling.

2 · Wait for safe conditions

Never tarp in active rain, high wind, lightning, or on a wet roof. Monsoons pass in 20–40 minutes here — wait it out. Steep pitch, two-story, or icy? Stop and call. It is not worth a fall.

3 · Find the source (usually uphill)

Water travels. The stain on the ceiling is rarely directly under the leak. Look uphill of the interior drip for lifted shingles, cracked flashing, popped nails, or a torn seam near a vent, skylight, or chimney.

4 · Size the tarp

Cover the damaged area PLUS 4 feet uphill of the leak so wind-driven rain rolls over the tarp, not under it. A 6×8 tarp covers most single leaks. Buy heavy-duty (6+ mil) blue poly — the thin ones shred in one NM windstorm.

5 · Anchor with 2×4s, not nails alone

Roll the top edge of the tarp around a 2×4 like a burrito. Screw the 2×4 through the tarp into the roof deck ABOVE the ridge line of the leak (uphill). Do the same on the bottom edge. The wood spreads load so wind can't rip it. Never nail loose tarp corners — they will flap and tear off.

6 · Photograph everything, then text me

Before you cover it, take 3 photos: wide roof, close-up of damage, and the interior stain. Text them to (505) 595-7203. I'll tell you honestly if it needs same-day pro help, a next-week repair, or if the tarp will hold until we can plan properly. No cost, no pitch.