What to Do When Your Roof Is Damaged in a Storm

The storm has passed and the roof looks wrong, or water is coming in. Here is what to do, in order, and what to leave to the pros.

Safety Comes First

Make sure everyone is safe and stay clear of downed lines, hanging limbs and sagging ceilings. If you smell gas, hear cracking or see a ceiling bowing, leave the house and call emergency services.

Do not climb onto a wet or damaged roof. Shingles, ladders and decking can all fail underfoot.

Protect What You Can From Inside

Move furniture and valuables away from drips. Put buckets under leaks and lay towels or plastic on floors. If a ceiling is bulging with water, a small hole made carefully into a bucket can release it, but stay away from lights and wiring.

Turn off power to a room with a dripping light fixture.

Document, Then Call

Take clear photos of the damage from the ground and inside the house, with dates if you can. Note where water is entering.

Then call a roofer who can secure the roof with a tarp or board-up quickly, and who will explain the permanent repair afterwards.