The wind finally stopped. The house is still standing, everyone is safe, and then you hear it: drip, drip, from the kitchen ceiling. After a hurricane or a big storm, what you do in the first day decides whether a roof leak stays a small repair or turns into a much bigger one. This guide walks you through it in order: staying safe, spotting roof damage from the ground, the photos to take, getting an emergency roof tarp on, repair or replacement, and how to get bids from local roofers you can trust.
First: stay safe
- Stay off the roof. A storm-damaged roof can be weak, wet and covered in debris. Use your phone's zoom from the ground.
- Watch for downed power lines and stay away from them and from any water touching them.
- If a ceiling is sagging with water, keep everyone out from under it.
- If water is near lights or outlets, turn off power to that area at the breaker, only if you can reach the panel safely and dry.
How to spot roof damage from the ground
| Look outside for | Look inside for |
|---|---|
| Missing, lifted or creased shingles | Ceiling stains or drips |
| Shingle granules in gutters and at downspouts | Wet or matted insulation in the attic |
| Dented or loose vents, flashing and chimney caps | Daylight through the roof boards |
| Damaged soffit, fascia or gutters | Peeling paint or damp drywall near the ceiling |
| Branches or debris on the roof | A musty smell in upstairs rooms or closets |
Take photos before anything moves
Before cleanup and before the tarp, take clear photos and short videos: wide shots of each side of the house, close-ups of damaged shingles from the ground, every room with water, the buckets catching drips, and anything that got wet. Write down the date and time. Keep receipts for anything you buy or pay for to protect the house. These photos help your roofer, and your insurance company if you file a claim.
Get an emergency roof tarp on
A tarp is the fastest way to stop more rain from getting in. A good emergency tarp covers the damaged area with room to spare, runs up and over the ridge when it can so water flows over it, and is fastened down with boards or strips so the wind cannot lift it. It is a temporary cover, usually for weeks, not a fix. Check it after every storm and plan the permanent repair as soon as you can. After some declared disasters, a free temporary roof program called Operation Blue Roof may be available through FEMA.
Repair or replace?
| Often a repair | Often a new roof |
|---|---|
| A few missing or lifted shingles | Damage across large parts of the roof |
| One leak at a vent, chimney or valley | Soft or rotten roof deck in several areas |
| A small area hit by a branch | An older roof near the end of its life |
Ask each roofer to explain what they see, with photos, and why they recommend a repair or a new roof. Comparing two or three written bids makes the decision clearer.
Insurance: what to know
Every policy is different, so call your insurance company soon after the storm and ask what they need from you. Many policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage, like a tarp, and to keep receipts. An adjuster may inspect the roof, and a written scope from your roofer helps everyone see the same damage. Your policy and your deductible decide what is covered.
What to put in your post
- That it is urgent, if water is coming in, and whether you need a tarp now
- Your roof type and roughly how old it is, if you know
- What you see from the ground and inside, with photos
- Any other damage: fallen limbs, siding, gutters or water inside
- Whether you have an insurance claim open
Questions to ask a roofer
- Can you tarp it now and come back for the permanent repair?
- What exactly is damaged, and can I see your photos?
- Do you recommend a repair or a new roof, and why?
- Do you carry insurance, and any license my city or state requires?
- Who pulls the permit, and what is your workmanship warranty?
Get storm roof repair bids on BidHandyman
Post your roof job free with photos and a short description, and say it is urgent if water is coming in. Only pros approved by BidHandyman can bid. Compare the bids, message the roofers and hire the one you like, with no obligation: a tarp today, a new roof when you are ready. Post your roof repair, or read about water damage after a storm, storm damage repair and roof replacement.