Move people and valuables away from active water entry when it is safe, contain interior water, photograph visible conditions from safe locations, and contact a roofing professional once conditions allow. Emergency response availability depends on weather, safety and current crew scheduling.
A roof problem feels different when water is actively coming into the house. Hail may have just passed, wind may have removed shingles or metal, a tree limb may have struck the roof, or an old leak may suddenly become a steady drip during heavy rain. The instinct is to “do something” immediately. The safest first step, however, is usually to stay off the roof until the hazard has passed.
Urgent roof service should not be understood as a guaranteed 24/7 response. All About Roofing & Construction provides roof inspection and repair service in the Clovis area, but actual response depends on weather, road conditions, crew availability and whether the property can be approached safely. A roofing contractor should never promise speed by sending someone onto a dangerous roof during active lightning, high wind or slick conditions.
The first 15 minutes: protect people, not shingles
If the storm is still active, stay inside a substantial structure and follow National Weather Service warnings. High wind and hail can break windows, throw debris and make roofs unsafe. Do not walk outside to inspect damage while hail is falling or while severe wind is ongoing.
- Move family members, employees or tenants away from ceiling areas that are sagging, saturated or shedding material.
- Keep people away from broken skylights, shattered glass and areas where exterior debris may enter.
- If water is near electrical fixtures, outlets or equipment, avoid contact and follow appropriate electrical-safety guidance; contact emergency services or a qualified electrician when needed.
- Use containers to catch drips only when the area underneath is safe.
- Move furniture, electronics and valuables away from water if that can be done without entering a hazardous area.
A wet or storm-damaged roof can be slippery, weakened or partially detached. Wind can lift loose materials without warning. Roof access should wait until conditions are stable and the surface can be evaluated safely.
What you can check safely from inside
Interior observations can help a roofer understand the problem without exposing you to roof hazards. Look for the location and pattern of water entry. Is water dripping near an exterior wall, chimney, skylight, plumbing vent or ceiling fixture? Is staining old and dry, or growing during the current storm?
If attic access is safe and does not require stepping on wet insulation or unstable surfaces, a visual check from a proper walkway may reveal dripping, wet decking or daylight. Do not crawl across attic framing or disturb electrical wiring. The place where water appears inside is not always directly below the roof entry point; water can travel along decking, framing or insulation before it becomes visible.
Take photographs or short videos of active dripping, stains and damaged interior finishes. Include wide shots showing location and closer images showing condition. These records can help with repair diagnosis and may also be useful if you later communicate with an insurer, although the insurer—not the roofer—determines coverage.
What to look for from the ground after the storm
Once the weather has passed, inspect from ground level or another safe location. Binoculars or a phone camera with zoom can help. You are looking for obvious changes, not trying to perform a complete roof inspection yourself.
Do not assume a roof is fine simply because no shingles are lying in the yard. Hail, flashing movement and subtle wind damage can be hard to identify from the ground. Our hidden storm damage guide explains the quieter signs.
When the roof may be structurally unsafe
Some conditions go beyond normal roof repair. A tree through the structure, visibly sagging roof deck, collapsed framing, major fire damage or sections of roof pulled away by wind can create a building-safety emergency. Keep people out of the affected area and contact appropriate emergency or building-safety professionals before treating it as a routine roofing call.
A roofing contractor can address the roof covering and weather protection, but structural, electrical, utility or fire hazards may require other qualified professionals first.
Temporary roof protection: when tarping makes sense
A temporary tarp or dry-in can reduce additional water entry when a permanent repair cannot be completed immediately. The key word is temporary. A tarp does not diagnose the cause, replace damaged decking or restore a failed roof system.
Professional temporary protection may involve securing a tarp or membrane over the affected area, protecting openings, clearing safe drainage paths or completing a limited emergency repair. The method depends on roof material and damage. Improperly fastened tarps can become wind hazards, and walking a damaged roof to install one can be dangerous.
Do not use bricks, loose boards or other unsecured objects as rooftop weights. Strong Clovis winds can turn loose material into debris. If temporary protection requires roof access, it is better handled by people equipped for roofing work.
What not to do during an emergency roof leak
- Do not climb onto a wet roof with a tube of sealant.
- Do not pull off shingles or metal to “see underneath” during active weather.
- Do not puncture a bulging ceiling unless a qualified professional has evaluated the electrical and structural risk.
- Do not assume the first visible hole is the only source of water entry.
- Do not sign a rushed contract with an unknown contractor solely because they arrived first after a storm.
- Do not authorize permanent work based only on an insurance assumption; coverage is determined under your policy by the carrier.
Emergency roof repair versus permanent repair
After the building is protected, the next step is diagnosis. A temporary patch may have stopped the rain, but a roofer still needs to determine what failed and how far damage extends. A wind-lifted shingle area may be repairable. A branch puncture may require decking and framing evaluation. Widespread storm damage may lead to a larger repair or replacement discussion.
The permanent scope should answer three questions: what allowed water in, what materials were damaged, and what must be repaired to restore the roof system rather than merely stop today’s drip.
See Roof Repair in Clovis, NM for common repair conditions and Storm & Hail Damage Roofing when the problem follows severe weather.
Documentation after wind or hail
Take photographs of visible exterior damage from safe areas, interior water entry, fallen debris and damaged property. Record the approximate date and time of the event. Keep copies of emergency invoices and temporary-protection work. If you contact your insurer, follow the reporting instructions in your policy and ask the carrier what documentation it needs.
A roofer can provide roof-condition photographs and a repair or replacement estimate. That information can help describe observed damage, but it should not be presented as a promise that a claim will be approved.
How All About Roofing approaches an urgent roof call
- Safety first. We consider current weather, roof access and obvious structural hazards before inspection.
- Identify active water-entry risks. The first objective is understanding where the building is exposed.
- Stabilize when appropriate. Temporary protection or a limited repair may be recommended when permanent work cannot happen immediately.
- Inspect the broader roof. We look for related wind, hail, flashing, drainage or material conditions.
- Provide the next-step scope. Repair, replacement or monitoring recommendations should be based on what the roof actually needs.
Response time varies. Severe weather can create many calls at once, and unsafe conditions can delay roof access. Call 575-218-0303 or use our estimate form so we can tell you what scheduling is available.
Emergency roofing FAQs
Do you provide 24/7 emergency roofing service?
Availability depends on current weather, safety, location and crew scheduling, so we do not make a blanket around-the-clock response promise. Call us and we will tell you what scheduling is currently available.
Should I tarp my own roof?
Roof tarping often requires working on damaged, slippery or wind-exposed surfaces. If safe installation requires roof access, professional temporary protection is the better choice.
What if the ceiling is sagging?
Keep people out from underneath it. Saturated ceiling materials can fall, and water may be near electrical components. Treat that area as a safety concern rather than standing below it to inspect.
Should I call the roofer or insurance company first?
For immediate life-safety issues, call emergency services. For roof conditions, you can contact a roofer for inspection and your insurance carrier for policy/claim instructions. The two roles are different.
Does every emergency leak mean I need a new roof?
No. Some urgent leaks come from localized flashing, penetration or storm damage that can be repaired. Replacement depends on the extent and condition of the overall roof.
If your roof is leaking or visibly damaged in Clovis, contact us once the immediate weather hazard has passed. Request an inspection or call 575-218-0303.
Sources & further reading
We use manufacturer, roofing-industry and weather-service guidance as reference points, then apply it to the conditions Clovis-area property owners actually deal with.