Abstract: Based on the influence of roof water spray on 5203 return air roadway of 8203 working face in a mine, the roof caving occurs and the deformation and failure of surrounding rock is serious, so it is difficult to realize the maintenance of the roadway. In this paper, theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and field monitoring are used to study the variation of mechanical properties, plastic zone expansion and surrounding rock stress and displacement of surrounding rock under roof water spray conditions. The results show that the roof water spray will reduce the strength of surrounding rock and increase the deformation, and the roof support will be more difficult. In view of the above support problems, the support method of anchor net and cable combined support-new waterproof anchoring agent-grouting method was proposed, and it was successfully applied to the maintenance of 5203 return air roadway.