Your roof is leaking right now — water is coming in, and every minute counts. Before you call anyone, there are a few immediate actions that can prevent thousands of dollars in additional damage. This guide walks you through exactly what to do in the next 60 minutes, how to determine whether you’re facing a true emergency, and how to choose the right contractor in Florida when you need help fast.
What to Do in the Next 60 Minutes
When water is actively entering your home, protect your interior first. Here’s your priority order:
1. Move Valuables and Protect Your Belongings
Move electronics, furniture, rugs, and anything else that can be damaged away from the affected area. Lay down plastic sheeting if you have it — a basic tarp from a hardware store works. Water will keep spreading along ceiling drywall even after the drip stops.
2. Place Buckets and Contain the Water
Set up buckets or trash cans under active drips. If the ceiling is bulging, that means water is pooling above the drywall. Carefully poke a small hole at the lowest point of the bulge with a screwdriver — this sounds counterintuitive, but it releases the water in a controlled way rather than letting the entire ceiling collapse under the weight.
3. Document Everything With Photos and Video
Before you clean up a single drop, photograph and video the damage from multiple angles. Take wide shots and close-ups. Include timestamps if your camera allows. This documentation is critical for your homeowners insurance claim. Photograph the roof from ground level if it’s safe to do so. Do not wait — insurers sometimes dispute claims when documentation is thin, and conditions change quickly.
4. Turn Off Electricity in Affected Areas
If water is near electrical fixtures, outlets, or panels, shut off the circuit breaker for that area of the house. Water and live electricity are a life-threatening combination. When in doubt, call an electrician before anything else.
Temporary Tarp Installation: What You Should Know
A properly installed roof tarp can prevent further interior damage until a professional arrives. However, going on your roof during or immediately after a storm carries serious risks.
Safety warnings:
- Never get on a wet or slippery roof — this includes right after rain has stopped
- Single-story homes are much safer to work on than two-story or steeper-pitched roofs
- Use proper footwear with grip, and ideally a safety harness tied to something solid
- Never go on a roof alone — have someone on the ground
- If the damage is from a fallen tree or there’s any question of structural compromise, do not get on the roof
If conditions are safe, here’s how professional tarping works: A heavy-duty poly tarp (at least 6 mil thickness) is draped over the damaged area, extending at least 4 feet on all sides past the damage and over the ridge of the roof. The tarp is secured with 2×4 boards screwed or nailed along the edges — never just weighted down, as Florida wind will tear it off within hours. The goal is to keep water out until a permanent repair can be scheduled.
If you’re unsure, call a professional. Emergency tarping is typically $300–$800 and worth every dollar compared to the cost of water damage remediation.
True Emergency vs. Can Wait: How to Tell the Difference
Not every roof issue requires a 2 a.m. call. Here’s how to categorize what you’re seeing:
TRUE Emergency — Call Immediately
- Active interior flooding — water flowing, not just dripping
- Structural sagging — roof deck, ridge, or rafters visibly bowing or deformed
- Fallen tree or large debris on the roof with visible penetration
- Missing large sections of shingles or decking exposing the interior to the sky
- Storm aftermath with multiple entry points
- Electrical hazard from water near wiring
Can Wait Until Morning (or Tomorrow)
- Small, slow drip during dry weather
- Staining on ceiling that appears old and dry
- A single missing shingle with no active leak
- Minor granule loss
When in doubt, err on the side of calling. A legitimate roofer will be honest with you about whether it’s truly urgent. See our guide on repair vs replacement if you’re unsure how serious your damage is.
How to Pick an Emergency Roofer in Florida
Florida after a major storm is unfortunately a prime hunting ground for unlicensed contractors and out-of-state storm chasers. Here’s how to protect yourself:
Verify Their Florida License
In Florida, roofing contractors must hold either a CCC (Roofing Contractor) or CGC (General Contractor) license. You can verify any license at myfloridalicense.com in under two minutes. Never let an unlicensed crew on your roof — their work won’t be covered by your insurance, and you’ll have no recourse if something goes wrong.
Watch for Storm Chasers
If a contractor showed up at your door within hours of a storm, be cautious. Ask where they’re based. If the answer is “we travel with the storms” or they can’t give you a local address, walk away. Also be wary of anyone who asks you to sign over your insurance claim rights (Assignment of Benefits agreements) — Florida has seen significant fraud in this area.
Ask Specific Questions
- Are you licensed and insured in Florida? Can I see your license number?
- Do you offer 24/7 emergency response?
- How long have you been operating in this area?
- Can you provide local references?
- What does your emergency repair process look like?
A thorough roof inspection by a qualified local contractor before any permanent work begins protects you and helps ensure insurance coverage.
Why Florida Roofs Face More Emergencies
Florida’s climate is uniquely punishing for roofing systems:
- Afternoon thunderstorms — Central and East Florida see some of the highest lightning strike densities in the US, with intense, fast-moving storms that can drop 3+ inches of rain in an hour
- Rapid wind gusts — Even non-hurricane storms can produce 60–70 mph gusts that lift improperly fastened shingles
- Hurricane season (June through November) — Six months of elevated tropical storm risk means every roofing vulnerability is stress-tested annually. See our hurricane prep checklist to get ahead of season
- UV degradation — Florida’s intense sun breaks down shingle sealant strips and flashing caulk faster than northern climates
- Humidity and heat cycling — Expansion and contraction from daily temperature swings loosens fasteners over time
This combination means that a roof that would last 25 years in the Midwest may face serious issues in 15–18 years here. If your roof is over 15 years old and you’re in a storm-prone area, it’s worth having a professional roof inspection before hurricane season each year.
What Happens During an Emergency Repair Visit from Affordable Roofing
When you call Affordable Roofing & Construction for an emergency, here’s what you can expect:
- Same-day or next-day response — We prioritize active leak calls and dispatch as quickly as conditions safely allow
- Thorough inspection — We inspect not just the obvious damage but the surrounding area to identify any secondary vulnerabilities
- Honest assessment — We’ll tell you exactly what we found, what’s causing the leak, and what your repair options are — emergency temporary fix vs. permanent solution
- Emergency tarping if needed — We carry commercial-grade tarps and materials to secure your roof on the first visit
- Photo documentation — We photograph all damage for your insurance claim before we touch anything
- Clear written estimate — No surprise charges. You know exactly what the repair will cost before we start
We serve Volusia County and Central Florida, including Daytona Beach, Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, Ormond Beach, DeLand, Deltona, and surrounding communities.
Insurance Documentation Tips
Getting your insurance claim right starts before the roofer arrives:
- Photograph and video immediately — interior and exterior, before any cleanup or temporary repairs
- Don’t throw anything away — even torn-off shingles or damaged materials can serve as evidence
- Note the date and time of the storm — pull local weather records if needed (weather.gov has historical data by zip code)
- Call your insurance company to open a claim before permanent work starts — emergency mitigation (tarping, stopping active leakage) is usually approved, but permanent repairs typically require adjuster approval first
- Get a detailed written estimate from your roofer to submit alongside the adjuster’s assessment
For a full breakdown of the claims process, see our guide on storm damage insurance claims in Florida.
Call Affordable Roofing & Construction Now
If you’re dealing with a roof emergency in Volusia County or Central Florida, don’t wait. Every hour of active water intrusion increases the risk of structural damage, mold growth, and higher repair costs.
Call us now: 386-392-8952
We’re a licensed Florida roofing contractor serving Volusia County and Central Florida. We offer emergency response, free damage assessments, and honest estimates with no pressure. Whether you need emergency tarping tonight or want to understand your repair options before calling your insurer, we’re here to help.