It is 2 AM, the rain is hammering down, and water is coming through your ceiling. This is one of the most stressful situations a homeowner can face, and it happens more often than people realize in Alpharetta during our severe storm season. We have taken these calls at all hours, and the first thing we always tell homeowners is: take a breath, because there are things you can do right now to limit the damage.
Step one: contain the water inside your home
Before you even think about the roof itself, focus on protecting your home’s interior. Grab every bucket, pot, trash can, and towel you have. Place containers under active drips and lay towels around the area to catch overflow.
If you see a bulge forming in your ceiling where water is pooling behind the drywall, this is actually a situation where you want to take action, not wait. Grab a bucket, hold it under the bulge, and carefully puncture the lowest point of the bulge with a screwdriver or nail. This sounds counterintuitive, but controlled drainage into a bucket is far better than letting the water spread across the ceiling until the drywall collapses and dumps gallons of water and soggy drywall all at once.
Move valuables away from the affected area. Electronics, photographs, documents, rugs - anything within the splash zone should be relocated to dry areas of the house. Water damage to personal items can sometimes exceed the cost of the roof repair itself.
Step two: document everything
Once you have the situation contained, start documenting. Your insurance company will want evidence, and the more you have, the smoother the claims process will be.
- Take photos and video of the water coming in, the ceiling damage, any items that got wet, and the containers you set up
- Note the date, time, and weather conditions - was it a thunderstorm, sustained rain, or wind-driven rain?
- Keep receipts for any emergency supplies you buy (tarps, buckets, etc.) - these are often reimbursable through your homeowner’s policy
- Do not throw anything away until your insurance adjuster has seen it
Step three: do NOT get on your roof during the storm
This needs to be said clearly because the impulse to climb up and fix the problem is strong: never get on your roof during a storm. Wet roofs are dangerously slippery, visibility is poor, wind gusts are unpredictable, and lightning is a real threat during Georgia thunderstorms. Every year, homeowners are seriously injured or killed trying to address roof damage during active storms.
Even after the rain stops, give it time. A wet roof covered in debris after a storm is not a safe working surface. Wait for daylight, wait for the surface to dry, and then assess from the ground with binoculars before deciding if you can safely access the roof.
Step four: temporary measures after the storm passes
Once conditions are safe - dry roof surface, daylight, calm winds - there are temporary steps you can take to prevent further damage until professional help arrives.
Tarp coverage
A blue tarp from any hardware store can provide temporary protection over a damaged area. Here is how to do it safely:
- The tarp should extend at least 4 feet past the damaged area on all sides
- Drape the tarp over the ridge (peak) of the roof so water runs off both sides
- Secure the tarp with 2x4 lumber laid along the edges and weighted down - do not nail through the tarp into your roof, as this creates new penetration points
- If the damaged area is on a slope and does not reach the ridge, extend the tarp up past the damage so water flowing down the roof goes over the tarp, not under it
Bucket relay inside
Keep your interior containment system active even after the storm passes. Residual water in the roof structure can continue dripping for hours or even days after the rain stops.
Attic inspection
If you can safely access your attic, look for the entry point of the water. Sometimes the actual roof penetration is far from where the water appears on your ceiling - water travels along rafters and decking before finding a gap to drip through. Identifying the entry point helps your roofer target the repair efficiently.
What to expect when you call for emergency roof repair
When you call a roofing contractor about emergency roof repair, here is what the process typically looks like:
- Phone assessment - We will ask about the nature and location of the damage, the severity of the leak, and what steps you have already taken
- Emergency tarping - For active leaks, most reputable contractors can get a tarp over the damage within 24-48 hours, sometimes sooner
- Insurance coordination - If the damage is storm-related, file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance. Your contractor should be willing to work with your adjuster
- Full inspection - Once conditions allow, a thorough inspection determines the full extent of damage
- Permanent repair - Based on the inspection findings, your contractor will recommend repair or replacement and provide a detailed estimate
After the storm: the insurance process
Storm damage claims in Alpharetta are common enough that most insurance adjusters in our area are experienced with roof damage. Here are tips to navigate the process:
- File your claim promptly. Most policies require notification within a reasonable time frame. Do not wait weeks.
- Be present for the adjuster’s inspection. Your contractor should be there too, if possible, to point out damage that an adjuster might miss from the ground.
- Get your own inspection. The insurance company’s adjuster works for them. Having your own contractor’s assessment gives you a comparison point and ensures nothing is overlooked.
- Understand your deductible. Know your policy’s deductible for wind and hail damage. Some Georgia policies have percentage-based deductibles for wind damage that can be higher than the standard flat deductible.
Storm season preparedness for Alpharetta homeowners
The best time to deal with storm damage is before it happens. Here is what we recommend:
- Annual roof inspection in early spring before storm season ramps up
- Trim trees that overhang your roof - falling branches cause a significant portion of storm damage we see
- Know your insurance policy - review your coverage, deductibles, and any exclusions before you need to file a claim
- Have a contractor’s number saved - when a storm hits your neighborhood, every roofing company in Alpharetta gets flooded with calls. Having an established relationship means faster response
- Keep a basic emergency kit accessible: tarps, flashlights, buckets, and basic tools
Storms are an unavoidable part of living in North Georgia. But with the right preparation and response, a roof leak during a storm does not have to become a major financial setback. Act quickly to contain interior damage, document everything, stay safe, and get professional help as soon as conditions allow.
Dealing With Storm Damage? Contact Best Alpharetta Roofer
Do not tackle emergency roof damage alone — our team responds to storm calls across Alpharetta and North Metro Atlanta year-round. Best Alpharetta Roofer has serviced 2,473+ roofs since 2016 and can have a tarp over your damage quickly. Call (470) 888-0030 for immediate emergency assistance or schedule your inspection online.
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