Leaking roof

A question about : Leaking roof

I have just discovered that part of the roof off my semi victorian has been leaking as I found a puddle in the loft. I can't see any holes or even cracks but right above the puddle, the wooden frame has white mould growing and when I touched it the wood was getting crumbly and flaky.

Firstly, is this an emergency and secondly, would you claim it on your insurance?

Best answers:

• I don't think you'll get anywhere with your insurance, unless it was caused by a storm. Often roof leak causes are far away from the problem it creates. i.e. hole/ loose mortar on your ridge tile, comes out through a hole in the underlay 2 metres away. I wouldn't know if you would need to replace the timber, but it might be worth getting the binoculars out and having a look for loose flashing or tiles from the ground. Failing that try a local roofer.... For now try a bucket
• The roof itself would probably be classed as wear and tear and lack of routine maintenance, the damage caused by it may be covered, i.e, the plasterboard ceiling it has dripped onto.