Field guide · Sep 24, 2026

Roof leaking right now? What to do in the first hour.

Water coming through the ceiling during a Michigan storm is stressful, and the urge is to do something big. Don’t. The first hour is about keeping people safe, limiting damage to the inside of the house, and getting the right help — not climbing a wet roof or signing a replacement contract at midnight. Here’s the short version we give homeowners across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb.

Water coming in? Call (586) 209-8910 Emergency tarp details

Step 1: Make the room safe

Water near a light fixture, outlet, or ceiling fan? Turn that circuit off at the panel and stay out from under it.
Ceiling drywall sagging or bulging? Keep people and pets clear. A water-heavy bubble can drop without warning.
Stay off the roof. Wet shingles at night — or iced shingles in January — are how homeowners end up in the ER. That part is our job.

Step 2: Contain the water inside

Put a bucket or storage bin under the drip and a towel inside it to cut the splash. Move furniture, rugs, and electronics out of the way. If a stain is bulging with trapped water and the circuit is off, some homeowners poke a small hole at the lowest point so it drains into the bucket in one spot instead of spreading across the ceiling. Only do that if you’re comfortable and it’s safe.

If you can reach the attic safely by walking on the joists, set a bucket or a piece of plastic under the drip there too. Wet insulation should be pulled back so it doesn’t keep soaking the drywall below.

Step 3: Take photos before anything gets cleaned up

Photograph the ceiling, the drip, anything damaged, and — from the ground only — the part of the roof you think is involved. Photos help us triage over the phone, and if a storm caused the damage, dated photos matter to your insurance adjuster. We also offer a storm damage documentation set formatted for adjusters; it’s free when bundled with the repair.

Step 4: Decide — tarp tonight, or diagnostic tomorrow?

Not every leak is an emergency. A rough rule:

Call for a tarp if water is actively pouring in, a tree or wind opened part of the roof, or a peeled section is facing more rain overnight. An emergency tarp is $450 for up to 400 sq ft, and $200 of it comes off the permanent repair.
Book a diagnostic if it’s a slow drip that stopped with the rain, a stain that showed up after a thaw, or a spot you’ve noticed for a while. Our leak diagnostic is $189 and credited in full if you approve the repair the same visit.
Winter leak at the eave or outside wall? That’s often an ice dam, not a hole in the roof. See ice dam repair for how we steam the ice off and rebuild the eave.

Not sure which one you have? Call or text photos to (586) 209-8910 and we’ll tell you honestly. Our regular hours are Mon–Sat 7am–7pm; after hours, leave a message and active leaks get called back first.

What it usually costs to fix for good

Most active leaks we trace come down to one failed detail, not a failed roof. From our published price book:

Leak diagnostic: $189, credited in full if you book the repair the same visit.
Pipe boot replacement: $395 flat.
Step flashing repair: from $650.
Emergency tarp: $450 standard, $750–$1,200 large or multi-slope.
Same-day response outside Mon–Sat 7am–7pm: +50% on the repair price.

Every finished job gets a photo report, and the warranty is written on the invoice: one year on spot repairs, three on slope work, five on flashing and valleys.

What not to do in a panic

Don’t sign a replacement contract at the door after a storm. One leak is rarely a reason to reroof, and storm-chaser crews count on urgency.
Don’t let anyone smear roof cement on a wet roof and call it fixed. It’s a guess that tends to become an annual callback.
Don’t paint over the stain until the entry point is found and repaired. More on that in what a ceiling stain usually means.

FAQ: emergency roof leaks

Should I go up on the roof to find the leak?

No. A wet, dark, or icy roof is where homeowners get hurt. Work from inside: contain the water, photograph it, and check the attic only if you can do it safely from the floor joists. Leave the roof to a crew with fall protection.

Do I need an emergency tarp, or can it wait until morning?

If water is dripping steadily, a storm opened a section of roof, or more rain is forecast overnight, call. If it's a slow drip that stopped when the rain stopped, a bucket and a next-day diagnostic is usually enough. Send photos and we'll tell you honestly which one you're looking at.

How much does an emergency roof tarp cost in Metro Detroit?

Our standard tarp is $450 for up to 400 sq ft, and $200 of that is credited toward the permanent repair. Large or multi-slope tarps are $750–$1,200. Same-day response outside Mon–Sat 7am–7pm adds 50%. Every price is published in our price book.

Will one leak mean I need a new roof?

Usually not. Most active leaks we see trace to one failed detail — a pipe boot, flashing, a valley, or storm-lifted shingles. We fix that detail at a flat rate. If the whole roof is truly at end of life, we'll show you the photos and say so; we don't sell replacements.

Call (586) 209-8910 Book an estimate Send photos / request a visit

Metro Detroit Roof Repair — repairs only. Flat rates. Photo report every job. Service-area business across Wayne, Oakland & Macomb. Licensed Michigan Maintenance & Alteration contractor 2101214735.