It's 11 PM, there's a storm outside, and water is dripping from your ceiling. Do you call a roofer right now, or wait until morning? The answer depends on severity and risk. Here's a practical breakdown to help you make the right call.
Situations That Require Immediate Emergency Response
These scenarios warrant a call to an emergency roofer right away, regardless of the time:
- Structural collapse or visible sagging deck that threatens the interior
- Large section of roof membrane or shingles missing (active exposure to the sky)
- Active flooding into living spaces or electrical areas
- Tree or heavy object has impacted the roof
- Water near electrical panels, outlets, or light fixtures — this is a fire hazard
- Multiple simultaneous leaks suggesting major system failure
Situations That Can Wait Until Morning
These are serious issues that need professional attention soon — but not at midnight:
- A single drip or small water stain that isn't growing rapidly
- Granule loss or a few missing shingles (if weather has passed)
- Damaged flashing with no active leak
- Gutters that pulled away from the fascia
- Moss or algae growth discovered after the storm
Pro Tip: If you can't call a roofer immediately and have active dripping, place buckets to catch water and use plastic sheeting or tarps (if it's safe to do so from inside) to limit spread. Document everything with photos before touching anything.
What Emergency Roofing Looks Like
Emergency roofing typically involves temporary measures to stop immediate water intrusion: tarping, board-up, temporary sealing, or patching. This is not a full repair — it's stabilization. A permanent repair or replacement is scheduled once conditions allow. When you call an emergency roofer, ask specifically what the temporary measures will involve and what documentation they'll provide for your insurance claim.
What to Do While You Wait
- Move valuables, furniture, and electronics away from affected areas
- Turn off electricity in affected rooms if water is near outlets or fixtures
- Photograph all damage before moving anything
- Place towels and buckets to limit water spread
- Note the time the damage was discovered (important for insurance)
