Roof Leaking During or After a Storm: What to Do

Field knowledge

A storm leak feels urgent, and it is, but most of what helps in the first hour happens inside the house, not on the roof. Contain the water, keep everyone safe, take photos, and get a roofer to look once the weather passes. This guide walks through each step and what to expect after.

Short answer

Catch the water, move belongings, stay off the roof and out from under a sagging ceiling, and take photos. When the storm passes, have the roof inspected in person. If water is still getting in, the damaged area can be tarped until a permanent repair is made.

What to do while the roof is leaking

1. Catch the water. Put buckets, bins or towels under every drip and empty them before they overflow.
2. Move what you can. Get electronics, furniture, rugs and papers out of the wet area. Cover anything you cannot move with plastic.
3. Watch the ceiling. If drywall bulges or sags with water, keep people and pets out from under it.
4. Keep water away from electrical. If water is near light fixtures, outlets or the panel, turn off power to that area at the breaker if you can do it safely.
5. Check the attic if it is safe. A flashlight in the attic can show where water is coming through the decking, which helps the roofer find the source.
6. Take photos and notes. Photograph the ceiling, walls, floors and anything damaged, and write down when the leak started and what the weather was doing.

What not to do

• Do not climb on a wet or windy roof. Wet shingles are slippery, and a fall is far worse than a leak.
• Do not use a ladder near power lines or in lightning.
• Do not tear out wet drywall or throw away damaged items before they are photographed, if you may file an insurance claim.
• Do not sign a contract on the spot with someone who knocks on your door after the storm. Get a written scope and estimate first.

Where storm leaks usually start

Wind and heavy rain find weak points first. The most common sources are:

• Missing, creased or lifted shingles. Wind lifts tabs, breaks the seal and sometimes tears them off, leaving the layer underneath exposed. On a Reynoldsburg storm-damage repair, the crew replaced tabs that were missing or creased along the same courses.
• Flashing. Where the roof meets a wall, chimney or skylight, wind-driven rain can get behind worn or loose flashing. See our Westerville sidewall flashing repair.
• Pipe boots and vents. Cracked rubber collars around plumbing vents let water run down the pipe. See our Hilliard pipe boot repair.
• Valleys. Valleys carry the most water on a roof, so a worn valley often shows up first in a heavy rain. See our Hilliard valley and decking repair.
• Exposed nails. One rusty or backed-out nail between shingles can let water through to the decking. On a Groveport leak repair, the leak traced back to a single rusty nail on the rear slope, and the crew replaced the shingles and the water-damaged decking under them.
• Gutters. Clogged or overflowing gutters can push water back under the roof edge and into the fascia and soffit.
• Fallen limbs. A branch can puncture the shingles and decking. Keep clear of the area until the roofer and, if needed, a tree service have looked.

Leaks are the most common repair call we get

In our Columbus Roof Repair Report 2026, built from our own job records, 1,624 of 1,991 completed Columbus-branch jobs were repairs, not replacements. Active leaks with water inside were the most common recorded problem, followed by missing or damaged shingles, gutters, and hail or storm damage.

Tarping until the repair

If water is still getting in after the storm, a tarp over the damaged area keeps more water out until the permanent repair. A tarp should be put on by a roofer once it is safe to be on the roof, not by a homeowner in the wind and rain. In Central Ohio, see our storm tarping and leak repair service; call (614) 626-0387, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

After the storm: inspection and repair

We inspect the roof and, when we can get to it, the attic, then trace the water back to where it is getting in. You get photos of what we find and a written estimate for the specific fix, such as replaced shingles, new flashing or a new pipe boot. When a repair will solve it, we recommend the repair. If the roof is worn out across the board or the damage is widespread, we explain why a replacement makes more sense. See roof repair in Columbus, storm and hail damage repair and our roof leak repair guide.

Insurance after a storm leak

If wind, hail or a fallen limb caused the leak, your homeowner’s policy may cover part of the repair. Report it to your insurer, keep your photos and notes, and keep receipts for anything you spend to prevent more damage. We document roof damage with photos and can meet your adjuster on site; whether a claim is approved, and for how much, is up to your insurer and your policy. See our Columbus storm damage claim guide.

Roof Revivers in Columbus

Roof Revivers has served homeowners since 2012. We are an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor and BBB A+ accredited. Our Columbus office is at 1020 Taylor Station Rd Suite F, Gahanna, OH 43230, open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Call (614) 626-0387 or request a free inspection. In the Triangle, see Roof Revivers Raleigh.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if my roof starts leaking during a storm?

Catch the water with buckets or towels, move belongings out of the way, keep people out from under any sagging ceiling, stay off the roof, and take photos. Once the storm passes, have the roof inspected in person.

Should I go on the roof to stop a leak?

No. A wet or windy roof is dangerous. Contain the water inside and let a roofer tarp or repair the roof once it is safe.

My roof is leaking after a windstorm. What is the likely cause?

After high winds, the most common causes are missing, creased or lifted shingles, and wind-driven rain getting behind flashing at walls, chimneys and skylights. Pipe boots and valleys are other common sources.

Is a roof leak an emergency?

Water coming through a ceiling, or a ceiling that is sagging, needs attention right away to limit damage inside. A small stain still needs an inspection soon, because the source is usually bigger than the stain.

Can a storm leak be repaired without replacing the roof?

Often, yes. If the damage is in specific spots, such as a few shingles, one flashing or one vent, a repair usually solves it. Replacement makes more sense when the roof is worn out or the damage is widespread.

Will insurance pay for a roof leak after a storm?

It may, if wind, hail or a fallen limb caused it. Your insurer and your policy decide what is covered. We document the damage with photos and can meet your adjuster.

Is a roof inspection after a storm free?

Yes. Roof Revivers’ roof inspections and estimates are free.