What to do if…
a skylight or roof window frame is visibly loose and bad weather is forecast

What to do now

1. Make the area safe indoors. Keep people and pets out from directly underneath the skylight. Move electronics, valuables, furniture, rugs, and papers away from the possible drip path.
2. Catch and divert water only from a safe position. Put towels, a bucket, or plastic sheeting on the floor below the likely drip point. Do not climb into the roof space unless it is an already boarded, normally used area with safe fixed access and no water near wiring. Stop if you feel unsteady, the frame moves, insulation is wet, or you are unsure.
3. Reduce electrical risk. If water is reaching, or could soon reach, lights, smoke alarms, extractor fans, sockets, switches, or loft wiring, switch off the affected circuit at the consumer unit only if you can do it without standing in water or touching anything damp. If the consumer unit is damp, water is inside it, wiring is exposed, or you are unsure, keep clear and call a registered electrician.
4. Document the problem without climbing. Take photos or video from inside, and from ground level outside if that is safe, showing the loose frame, visible gap, stains, drips, and any items moved out of the way. Note the date, time, wind, and rain forecast.
5. Check the immediate forecast. Use a reliable weather warning or local forecast so you can tell the contractor or responsible building contact how soon rain or high wind is expected.
6. Report it through the responsible route. If someone else is responsible for the building or roof, contact the landlord, letting agent, freeholder, factor, managing agent, or building manager and say: “roof window or skylight frame visibly loose; rain forecast; risk of water ingress and falling glass or frame movement.” Ask who is arranging the make-safe visit and keep a record of the report.
7. Contact insurance if you are responsible for the building. Use the emergency or claims contact in your buildings policy; many insurers have a 24-hour helpline. Ask what temporary measures they authorise, whether home emergency cover applies, and whether they want photos, contractor details, or invoices.
8. Ask for an emergency roofer or roof-window specialist to make safe. Ask specifically for temporary securing and weather-tight protection of a loose skylight or roof window, not a full repair in unsafe weather. If the weather is too dangerous for roof work, ask for the earliest safe attendance and what indoor precautions they recommend until then.
9. Keep evidence of reasonable steps. Save photos, videos, call logs, emails, texts, contractor names, attendance times, quotes, invoices, and receipts for emergency materials or call-outs.