Emergency Roof Repair in Rahway, NJ

Is it an emergency?

A slow stain can usually wait a day or two for a roofer. These can't:

• Water running or dripping steadily through a ceiling or light fixture
• Part of the roof torn open after wind or a falling tree
• A ceiling sagging under trapped water
• Damage to the roof with more rain or snow on the way

Right now, in this order

1. Power. If water is near outlets, switches or fixtures, flip that circuit off at the panel.
2. People. Keep everyone out of rooms where the ceiling is bulging. Wet drywall comes down suddenly.
3. Water. Buckets, bins, towels. Drain a bulging ceiling with a small hole at its lowest point.
4. Belongings. Move what you can, cover what you can't with plastic sheeting.
5. Record. Photos and video before cleanup.
6. Call. Describe what's happening and where the house is.

What a roofer does first

The priority in an emergency is to stop more water getting in. That usually means a heavy tarp over the damaged area, held down with lumber fastened through it so the wind can't strip it off. Smaller openings can sometimes be patched temporarily. With a tree on the roof, a tree service may need to remove it before the roof can be covered - see when a tree falls on your roof. Once the house is protected, the roofer can assess the full damage - shingles, boards, rafters, flashing - and plan the permanent repair when the weather allows.

After the emergency

Open windows and interior doors and run fans or a dehumidifier to dry things out once the water stops. Check the attic insulation; soaked insulation often needs replacing because it compacts and stops working.