Roof Leak During a Storm? What to Do Tonight

WatchStorm Damage? G3 Roofing & Construction Is Your Best Choice

It always seems to happen at night. A storm rolls through, and you hear it: drip, drip, drip. Maybe it's a stain spreading across the ceiling. Maybe it's water coming out of a light fixture. Either way, your heart drops.

Take a breath. Here's what to do tonight to protect your family and your home until we can get eyes on the roof.

Is Everyone Safe?

Start here, always.

• Stay out from under sagging ceilings. A bulging ceiling is holding water and can come down.
• Watch for electrical hazards. If water is near outlets, light fixtures or ceiling fans, turn off power to that area at the breaker if you can reach the panel without standing in water.
• Don't go on the roof. Not at night, not in the rain, not ever in a storm. Wet roofs are slick, and falls are serious.
• Watch for slips on wet floors.

How Do I Contain the Water Inside?

1. Put buckets, pots or bins under every drip. Put a towel in the bottom to cut the splashing noise.
2. Move furniture, electronics and rugs out of the way, or cover them with plastic.
3. Lay towels around the area to protect floors.
4. Relieve a bulging ceiling carefully, only if you feel comfortable. Some people poke a small hole at the lowest point of the bulge with a screwdriver, standing to the side, with a bucket below. If you're not comfortable, keep everyone away and call us.
5. Check the attic if it's safe to get to, with a flashlight. If you see water, put a bucket under the drip and lay plastic over insulation if you can.

Should I Take Photos Now?

Yes. Before you move much, take photos and video of the ceiling, the drips, the attic if you can get there and any damaged belongings. Write down the time and that it was storming. That record matters later.

What Should I Not Do Tonight?

• Don't climb on the roof or a ladder in the dark or rain.
• Don't use a household vacuum on water.
• Don't ignore a leak because it stopped when the rain stopped. It will come back.
• Don't paint over a stain once it dries. Find the source first.

What Happens When the Rain Stops?

Once it's safe and daylight, the roof needs to be inspected so the source can be found. Sometimes it's storm damage, like missing shingles from wind or hail damage. Sometimes it's flashing around a chimney, a pipe boot or a skylight. A temporary tarp or repair may be needed to prevent more damage until a permanent fix.

Keep receipts for any emergency repairs. If you plan to talk with your carrier, your agent can tell you what your policy requires. We don't give coverage advice.

What About the Water Inside the Walls and Ceiling?

Roof leaks often soak insulation and drywall. Wet insulation holds water against the ceiling, and that can lead to mold if it isn't dried or replaced. CMDR Restoration, our mitigation partner (licensed by TDLR, RCO #1801), can check the moisture and dry it out. G3 can repair the roof and rebuild the ceiling. Read wet drywall: dry or replace to understand that decision.

How Can G3 Help?

We're a roofing contractor and a general contractor, so we handle the roof, the leak and the interior. We'll inspect, photograph the damage and tell you straight what we see. We're your contractor. We don't negotiate or adjust claims.

Learn more on our roofing and storm damage page or call (945) 300-9018.

Frequently Asked Questions

Keep learning: see our Roofing & Storm Damage page, read Fall Roof Maintenance Checklist for North Texas Homes, or read what homeowners say in our customer reviews.