Most roof problems can wait a few days or even a few weeks for a repair. But some situations need attention right away. Knowing the difference between "I should get this looked at soon" and "I need someone out here today" can save you a lot of money in secondary damage.
When to call now
Active water coming in. If you have water dripping through your ceiling or running down an interior wall during or after a storm, that is an emergency. Put a bucket under the drip, move furniture and valuables away from the area, and call a roofer. The water damage to your interior gets dramatically worse with every hour.
Large sections of missing shingles. If a storm ripped off a significant area of shingles and you can see the underlayment or bare decking from the ground, your roof is exposed. One more rainstorm will send water directly into your home. This needs a tarp or emergency cover until a permanent repair or replacement can happen.
A tree or large branch on your roof. If a tree fell on your house, call your insurance company and a roofer immediately. Do not try to remove the tree yourself. It may be the only thing keeping water out of the hole it created. A professional can assess the structural damage and remove it safely.
Visible structural sagging. If you notice your roofline sagging, your ceiling bowing, or any visible shift in the structure of your roof, get out of the room below the affected area and call for help. Structural compromise is rare but serious.
Exposed interior of the home. If storm damage has created a hole or opening in your roof large enough that you can see daylight from inside the attic, that is an emergency. Rain, wind, and animals now have direct access to your home's interior.
When it can wait a bit
Not every problem is an emergency, even if it looks concerning.
A few missing shingles in an isolated area? That should be repaired soon, but it is not going to cause a flood overnight. The underlayment underneath is designed to provide temporary protection.
Granule loss in your gutters after a storm? Worth getting inspected, but not urgent.
A small ceiling stain that appeared after a storm but is not actively growing? Schedule an inspection soon, but it does not require a midnight phone call.
What we do in an emergency
When a homeowner calls with an active emergency, the first priority is getting the home secured. That usually means a temporary tarp or cover over the damaged area to stop water intrusion. Once the home is protected, the full scope of damage gets assessed and we talk through options for permanent repair or replacement.
If the damage is insurance-related, everything gets documented: time-stamped photos of the emergency, the temporary measures taken, and the full scope of damage all become part of the claim documentation.
The most important thing in an emergency is to stop the bleeding. Get the home protected first, then figure out the long-term solution with a clear head.
Dealing with an emergency right now? Call us directly at (801) 544-5125. We will get your home secured and walk you through next steps. For urgent situations, call our office directly.
"Bob Harvey's estimate and service were right on from the start. He showed up when he said, completed work on time, and excellent quality. It was done right before last huge windstorm and not even one shingle lifted or blew away."Douglas Hunt , Google Review