A monsoon storm can drop a lot of rain in a short time, with wind that lifts shingles and slides tile. If you see a stain or a drip afterward, here is what to do, in order.
1. Stay safe first
- Do not climb onto a wet roof.
- If water is near light fixtures, outlets or the electrical panel, turn off power to that area at the breaker if you can reach it safely, and call an electrician.
- If the ceiling is sagging with water, keep people and pets out of that room.
2. Catch the water and protect your things
Put down buckets and towels. Move furniture, rugs and electronics out of the way. The goal is to keep a roof leak from turning into a flooring and drywall job too.
3. Take photos before you clean up
Photograph the ceiling stain, the drip, and anything that got wet. From the ground, photograph the roof and the yard: missing shingles, slipped tile, debris. Write down the date of the storm. All of this helps if you file an insurance claim.
4. Check the attic, only if you can do it safely
Look for wet insulation, water trails on the wood, or daylight coming through. Only walk where you can step on the framing.
5. Get the roof inspected before the next storm
A leak that stops when the rain stops is still a leak. Water can soak the decking and the layer under your shingles or tile, where you cannot see it. The photo at the top of this page is what that looks like once the tile comes off.
Our storm damage inspection is free. We get on the roof, photograph the damage, and show you what we found.
6. Call your insurance company
Sudden storm damage is often a claim. What is covered depends on your policy, and your insurance company makes that call. We document the damage so your claim has what it needs, and we work with your insurance company from the first call to the finished repair.
Before you sign with any roofer
After a big storm, a lot of roofers show up at once. Before you sign anything:
- Look up their license on the Arizona Registrar of Contractors website
- Ask where their office is
- Get the workmanship warranty in writing
Ours is AZ ROC 351130, and our office is in Mesa.
Leaking now? Book a free inspection or call 480.631.4291.
