Your Roof Is Leaking. Here Is What To Do Right Now.
A damaged roof in the middle of a storm or the night after one is genuinely stressful. This page gives you a clear, step-by-step plan for the next few hours and tells you exactly when you need a roofer on site fast.
What Counts As A Roofing Emergency
Not every roof problem needs a contractor on-site within hours. A slow, mystery drip in a finished ceiling is serious but not the same as a tree branch punching through your decking during a thunderstorm. Knowing the difference helps you respond the right way instead of panicking or, worse, waiting too long.
A true emergency is any situation where water is actively entering the living space, structural framing is exposed to the elements, or a fallen object has left an open hole. In those cases, you need to act within the hour to limit water damage to insulation, drywall, and framing. Everything else can usually wait until the next business day for a proper inspection.
What To Do In The First Hour
Follow these in order. Do not skip ahead to calling contractors before you have handled the inside.
Stop the water inside first
Put buckets under active drips immediately. If water is pooling on a ceiling, poke a small hole at the lowest point to let it drain into a bucket rather than spread. Wet drywall that stays saturated turns into a mold problem within 24 to 48 hours.
Move valuables and electronics
Get anything that can be ruined out of the affected area. Unplugged electronics, furniture, documents, and anything stored in the attic should be relocated before you do anything else.
Document everything with your phone
Take date-stamped photos and video of interior water intrusion, ceiling stains, and any visible exterior damage from the ground. Do this before any cleanup. Your insurance adjuster will need this record.
Apply a temporary cover if it is safe to do so
A heavy-duty poly tarp staked or weighted down over an exposed area can reduce further damage until a roofer arrives. Only do this if the roof is accessible, dry enough to walk, and you are comfortable at height. A 6-mil poly tarp costs about 20 to 40 dollars at any hardware store and can prevent thousands in interior damage overnight.
Call a local roofing contractor
Call a contractor with a verifiable local address and real reviews, not a storm chaser who knocked on your door. Describe exactly what you see: the location of the damage, whether water is actively coming in, and whether any structural material is exposed. A reputable roofer will tell you honestly whether they need to come out tonight or whether a tarp holds until morning.
Situations That Need A Roofer On Site Tonight
If any of these apply, do not wait until morning.
- ✓A tree, limb, or large object has penetrated the decking and left an open hole
- ✓A section of roof has completely blown off and framing is exposed
- ✓Water is flowing in steadily, not just dripping, and buckets are not keeping up
- ✓You can see daylight through the attic ceiling or roof deck
- ✓There is visible sagging or bowing in the ceiling that is getting worse
- ✓Electrical wiring or fixtures are getting wet
What Emergency Roof Repair Actually Costs
After-hours emergency calls typically run 150 to 400 dollars for a roofer to come out at night, assess the damage, and apply a temporary fix like tarping or emergency flashing. That fee is separate from the actual repair cost. Most contractors roll that fee into the final job if you hire them for the full repair.
The actual repair cost depends entirely on scope. A small shingle blow-off with no deck damage might run 300 to 600 dollars. A large puncture from a fallen tree that requires replacing decking, underlayment, and shingles can run 1,500 to 4,000 dollars or more. If the damage is storm-related, your homeowner's insurance policy likely covers it minus your deductible. File the claim before you authorize any permanent repairs.
Common Questions About Emergency Roof Repairs
Straight answers to what homeowners ask us most often after a storm.
Should I get on the roof myself to check the damage?
Not during or immediately after a storm. Wet roofs are slippery and a fall is far more costly than the repair. Stay on the ground, document what you can see, and let a trained roofer do the physical inspection.
Will my homeowner's insurance cover emergency roof repair?
If the damage was caused by a storm, wind, hail, or a falling object, it almost certainly qualifies as a covered peril under a standard HO-3 policy. You pay your deductible and insurance covers the rest up to your dwelling limit. Damage from neglect or wear and tear is not covered. Call your insurer and open a claim before any permanent repairs begin.
How long can a tarp hold before permanent repairs are needed?
A properly secured poly tarp can protect an opening for 30 to 90 days in most weather conditions. That said, tarps shift in wind, collect debris, and are not a long-term solution. Plan on scheduling permanent repairs within two to four weeks of the emergency.
What if a storm chaser knocked on my door offering to help?
Be cautious. Out-of-town contractors who follow storm paths often pressure homeowners into signing assignment of benefits documents on the spot, which hands them control of your insurance claim. Verify any contractor has a real local address, a business license in your state, and verifiable reviews before you sign anything.
Can you tarp a roof in the rain?
A roofer can apply a tarp in light rain if the roof pitch is manageable and conditions are safe. In a thunderstorm or high winds, no responsible contractor will put a crew on a roof. The goal in active severe weather is interior protection with buckets and plastic sheeting until conditions allow safe access.
How fast can Gorilla Roofing respond to an emergency call?
For active emergencies in the St. Louis metro area, we aim to have someone on site or on the phone with you within the hour during business hours. For after-hours calls, we triage by severity and dispatch for true emergencies the same night. Call us directly so we can assess your situation.
Roof Damaged? Call Gorilla Roofing.
We serve the greater St. Louis metro and will tell you straight what you need, tonight or tomorrow. No pressure, no runaround.
The Gorilla Guarantee
More than a promise — it's our commitment to unmatched craftsmanship and total transparency. We stand by our work 100%, no exceptions.
- Honest assessments — repair when possible, replace when necessary
- Premium materials and certified installation, every job
- 100% workmanship coverage backed in writing