When a storm hits and water starts coming in, it’s hard to think clearly. That’s exactly why having an emergency roof leak checklist ready ahead of time can save you a lot of stress (and money).

Use this guide as your go-to storm damage checklist for what to do before, during, and after a storm so you can protect your home, your belongings, and your family.

Before the Storm: Prep and Prevention

Even if you’re already dealing with leaks, a little preparation now can make the next storm less damaging.

1. Do a Basic Roof & Gutter Check (from the Ground)

From the ground or a safe window, look for:

  • Missing, cracked, or curled shingles
  • Loose or bent metal flashing around chimneys, skylights, and vents
  • Gutters that are sagging, overflowing, or clearly full of debris

If you spot anything worrying, schedule a roof inspection for leaks and storm prep through the services page:
https://leakyroof.us/services/

2. Find Your “Leak Hotspots” Inside

Walk through the top floor and attic (if you have one) and note:

  • Ceilings under flat roof sections
  • Areas below chimneys, skylights, and roof vents
  • Exterior walls and corners
  • Rooms under old or previously patched roof areas

These are the places you’ll want to check first during and after a storm.

3. Build a Simple Emergency Leak Kit

Keep these items together where you can grab them quickly:

  • Buckets, tubs, or trash cans
  • Old towels and absorbent rags
  • Plastic sheeting or painter’s tarps
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Painter’s tape or masking tape
  • Notebook or phone notes app (for documenting)

Having this ready turns a chaotic leak into a situation you can actually manage.

During the Storm: Stay Safe and Control the Water

When the storm hits and you notice a leak, your emergency roof leak checklist starts with safety.

1. Put Safety First

  • Keep people and pets away from active drips and slippery floors.
  • If water is near lights, fans, or outlets, turn off power to that area at the breaker if you can safely reach it.
  • Don’t stand under bulging or sagging ceilings that look ready to burst.

Never go onto the roof during a storm. Roof work is for dry, calm weather and trained professionals.

2. Catch and Contain Interior Leaks

Act fast to limit damage:

  • Place buckets or bins under drips.
  • Put towels or rags around the base to catch splashes.
  • Move furniture, electronics, and rugs out of the wet zone.
  • Use plastic sheeting to cover beds, couches, desks, or displays.

If a ceiling bubble forms, put a bucket underneath and (only if it looks stable) carefully poke a small hole in the lowest point to let water drain in a controlled way.

3. Start Light Documentation (If It’s Safe)

While the storm is happening, you can already begin your storm damage checklist:

  • Take quick photos or short videos of:
    • Active drips
    • Growing stains
    • Buckets filling up
  • Say out loud in the video:
    • What room you’re in
    • When the leak started
    • That it’s during a storm

This will help later with both a roofer and any insurance claim.

If the leak feels overwhelming or dangerous, use the contact page to request emergency help:
https://leakyroof.us/contact-2/

After the Storm: First 24 Hours

Once the weather calms down, it’s time to check the damage more carefully.

1. Walk the Interior with a Storm Damage Checklist

Room by room, look for:

  • New or expanded ceiling stains
  • Peeling or bubbling paint on walls and ceilings
  • Damp carpet, warped flooring, or wet baseboards
  • Drips near windows, exterior walls, or around light fixtures

Make notes of:

  • Where each issue is
  • How big the affected area is
  • Whether it’s still wet or just stained

2. Check the Attic (If Accessible and Safe)

Bring a flashlight:

  • Look for wet insulation, dark stains on wood, and active drips.
  • Follow stains “uphill” toward the roof deck to see where water is entering.
  • Note any areas where wood looks soft, moldy, or heavily stained.

If anything looks unsafe (badly sagging, very moldy, or unstable), back out and wait for a professional inspection.

3. Do a Ground-Level Exterior Check

From the ground (no climbing on the roof):

  • Look for missing or damaged shingles or metal panels.
  • Check if gutters and downspouts are clogged, broken, or overflowing.
  • Note any nearby fallen branches, hail damage, or debris on the roof.

Take photos of anything obvious. This adds to your storm damage checklist for a roofer or insurer.

Call for Professional Help: When a Leak Becomes an Emergency

Use this quick “go/no-go” list:

Call for emergency roof leak service right away if:

  • Water is coming through the ceiling in multiple places.
  • A ceiling looks like it could collapse.
  • Water is near electrical panels, lights, or outlets.
  • You’ve had significant storm damage (hail, wind, falling branches).

You can:

What Pros Do During an Emergency Roof Leak Visit

When a roofer arrives for emergency roof leak service, they typically:

  1. Assess inside
    • Identify leak locations and severity.
    • Check ceilings, walls, and attic for spread of water.
  2. Inspect the roof (when safe)
    • Look for storm damage: missing shingles, punctures, open seams, damaged flashing, clogged drains.
  3. Provide temporary protection
    • Install emergency tarping or temporary patches.
    • Clear blocked drains or gutters causing backup.
  4. Plan long-term repairs
    • Recommend permanent fixes: shingle/metal/flat roof repairs, flashing work, or replacement if needed.
    • Give a written estimate and photos you can use as part of your documentation.

For deeper guides by leak type (chimneys, skylights, flat roofs, vents, ice dams, and more), check the blog:
https://leakyroof.us/blog/

Saveable Emergency Roof Leak Checklist

You can screenshot, print, or copy this section for quick reference.

BEFORE a Storm

  • Do a ground-level visual roof check (missing shingles, damaged flashing).
  • Make sure gutters and downspouts are clear.
  • Walk top-floor ceilings and attic for existing stains.
  • Build a leak kit: buckets, towels, plastic sheeting, flashlight.
  • Save contact info for a leak-focused roofer: https://leakyroof.us/contact-2/

DURING a Storm

  • Keep people away from leaks and slippery areas.
  • Turn off power to wet areas if water is near electrical.
  • Place buckets and towels under drips.
  • Move furniture, rugs, and electronics out of the danger zone.
  • Take quick photos/videos of active leaks (with date/time noted).

AFTER a Storm

A solid emergency roof leak checklist turns panic into a plan. Combine this with regular inspections, maintenance, and the right help after a storm, and your home (or small commercial building) will be much better protected the next time the weather turns ugly.

Comments are closed here.