Step 1: Move what is below the leak
Furniture, electronics, rugs, art, anything valuable directly under the active drip. Even if the leak seems small, water spreads horizontally inside ceiling cavities and can come out in unexpected places. Move what you can and tarp what you cannot move.
Step 2: Catch the water
Put a bucket, large pot, or storage bin under the drip. If water is coming through a light fixture, do not touch the fixture. Use a non conductive container and consider turning off the breaker for that circuit. Empty containers regularly.
Step 3: Take photos right now
Before anything else changes, photograph the active leak. Take photos from multiple angles. If you can safely take a photo of the interior ceiling stain, the bucket catching the water, and any visible exterior damage from a window, do all three. Photos taken during the active event are the strongest insurance documentation later. Date and time stamp metadata is automatic on modern phones.
Step 4: Relieve a ceiling bulge if it forms
If a section of ceiling drywall is bulging with trapped water, the safest move is to puncture it with a sharp object (screwdriver, drill bit) into a bucket below. This is counterintuitive but correct. A controlled puncture releases water predictably. A spontaneous collapse spreads water and drywall across the room and can hurt anyone underneath. Only do this if the bulge is clearly forming. If unsure, wait for the crew.
Step 5: Call us
Call (833) 369-7663. The line is answered 24 7. Tell us the address, the type of leak (interior drip, exterior visible damage, suspected origin), and how long it has been leaking. We dispatch the closest available crew. During business hours typically within 1 to 3 hours. After hours within 2 to 4 hours.
If the situation is genuinely life threatening (active electrical sparks, structural collapse risk, gas smell), call 911 first, then call us.
Step 6: Stay out of the attic until we say it is safe
Wet attics have several risks: insulation that has soaked up water and is now heavy and dangerous, drywall ceilings supporting that wet weight from below, and live electrical wiring that may be in contact with water. Do not go into the attic during an active leak. Let the crew assess it when they arrive.
Step 7: Do not climb onto the roof
Especially during an active storm. A wet roof at any pitch is a major fall risk, and homeowner falls from roofs are the leading cause of severe injury in this category. Whatever is wrong with the roof, it can wait the few hours until a licensed crew with proper safety equipment is on site.
What the emergency crew does on site
The first crew on site has one goal: stop the water. We tarp the active failure with heavy duty material rated for storm conditions. We dry in the affected area, set up redirection if water is still flowing, and protect what is inside. The tarp keeps the home dry for the next several days while the permanent repair is scheduled.
After stabilization, the senior roofer or owner documents the failure with detailed photos and produces a written quote for the permanent repair, usually within 24 hours. You decide when to schedule the permanent repair. The tarp keeps the house dry in the meantime.
What it costs
Emergency calls carry a $3,500 minimum job charge that covers crew dispatch, materials, tarp install, dump fees, and the photo report. If the permanent repair is more complex, it is quoted in writing before any additional work begins. We do not surprise homeowners with bills during a crisis.
Most homeowner insurance policies cover emergency tarping and stabilization for damage from covered events like windstorms. We provide documentation suitable for the insurance claim, including detailed photos and a written scope of work. The claim itself is between you and your carrier.