Roof Leaking Into the House? First Steps
- Catch the water with buckets and towels, and move furniture, rugs and electronics away from the drip.
- Switch off the breaker for any light or ceiling fan near the leak.
- Stay off the roof. A wet tile or shingle roof is dangerous, and walking on tile can crack more tiles.
- Call a roofer for an emergency tarp, so no more water gets in.
- Take photos of every stain, drip and wet spot inside, and of the roof from the ground if it is safe.
- Call us to start drying the inside, even before the roof is permanently repaired.
If the ceiling is sagging, see ceiling water damage for what to do first.
Who Fixes Water Damage From a Roof Leak?
| Job | Who handles it |
|---|---|
| Emergency tarp and permanent roof repair | A roofing contractor |
| Wet attic insulation, ceiling drywall, walls and floors | Us: removal, drying and moisture readings |
| Photos and moisture records for the interior damage | Us, for your adjuster |
| Drywall, paint and flooring repairs after drying | Lined up once everything reads dry |
Drying can start as soon as the roof is tarped. Waiting for the permanent roof repair, which can take weeks after a big storm, lets mold get started in the attic and walls.
Ceiling Insulation Wet From a Roof Leak
Wet attic insulation is one of the most overlooked parts of a roof leak. Blown-in insulation, common in Cape Coral attics, packs down when it gets wet, holds water against the ceiling drywall and stops insulating. In most cases the wet section is removed and replaced after the attic and ceiling are dry. Batt insulation can sometimes dry in place if it was only lightly wet. We also check the roof decking and trusses above for moisture, because a leak that ran for a while can soak the wood framing too.
Where Roof Leaks Start on Cape Coral Homes
- Tile roofs: concrete and clay tiles shed most rain, but the underlayment beneath them is the real waterproofing. When it ages or tears, water gets in even though the tiles look fine from the ground.
- Shingle roofs: lifted, cracked or missing shingles after high winds.
- Flat sections over lanais and porches: ponding water finds seams.
- Pipe vents, skylights and roof-to-wall joints: the boots and flashing around them crack in the sun.
- Soffits and ridge vents: hurricane-force wind can drive rain sideways into openings that stay dry in normal storms.
Water does not always drip straight down. It can run along a truss or down the inside of an exterior wall and show up as a wet baseboard several feet from the actual leak.
How We Dry Out Roof Leak Damage
| Step | What happens | When |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Confirm the roof is tarped | No drying starts while rain can still get in. | Before setup |
| 2. Map the water | Moisture meters and a thermal camera trace the water from the attic down through ceilings and walls. | First visit |
| 3. Remove wet insulation | Soaked blown-in insulation is bagged and removed from the wet area. | Day 1 |
| 4. Release and remove ceiling damage | Trapped water is drained; sagging drywall is cut out. | Day 1 |
| 5. Dry attic, ceilings and walls | Dehumidifiers and air movers run with daily readings. See structural drying. | Usually 3 to 5 days |
| 6. Records and repairs | Photos and readings go to your insurer; insulation, drywall and paint are lined up once dry. | After drying |
After a Storm: Roof Leaks Plus Flooding
During hurricanes and tropical storms, many Cape Coral homes get water from above and below at the same time: rain through the roof and surge or street water at ground level. These are usually two different insurance claims with two different adjusters, so we document each source separately. If outside water came in too, see flood and storm cleanup.
What Roof Leak Water Damage Costs
Interior roof leak damage is usually rainwater, which is clean when it first enters and costs less to dry than flood or sewage water. Nationally, most water damage restoration jobs fall between $1,300 and $6,000. Replacing attic insulation and ceiling drywall adds to the cost, and so does waiting: rainwater that sits in insulation and framing for days can turn into a mold job. You get a written estimate before work beyond emergency water removal. See interior cleanup cost ranges.
Does Insurance Cover Roof Leak Water Damage?
It depends on why the roof leaked:
- Storm damage (wind lifting tiles or shingles) is often covered, including the interior water damage it caused. For a named storm, a separate hurricane deductible usually applies.
- Wear, age and lack of maintenance are commonly excluded, and Florida insurers look closely at roof age.
- Interior damage from a covered roof failure is usually covered along with it.
Report the claim promptly, and keep the roofer's report on what failed. We provide photos and daily moisture readings for the interior. See roof leak claim documentation. This is general information, not insurance advice.
Roof Leak Questions
Who fixes water damage from a roof leak?
A roofer repairs the roof. A water damage company like ours dries and removes the wet insulation, drywall and flooring inside. Call (239) 356-5803 for the inside.
Do I need to replace wet attic insulation?
Usually, yes for blown-in insulation, which packs down and holds water against the ceiling. Lightly wet batt insulation can sometimes be dried.
Can you start drying before the roof is fixed?
Yes, as soon as the roof is tarped and no more rain can get in. Waiting for the permanent repair can let mold start.
Why is there water at my baseboard but no ceiling stain?
Water from a roof leak can run down the inside of an exterior wall and show up at the floor. A moisture meter traces it back up the wall.
Does homeowners insurance cover roof leak water damage?
Often, when a storm caused the leak. Leaks from wear and age are commonly excluded. A hurricane deductible usually applies after a named storm.
Roof Leak Inside Your Home?
Get the roof tarped and call (239) 356-5803. We answer 24/7 for roof leak water damage across Cape Coral, plus North Fort Myers and Fort Myers. From June through November, when storms and hurricane season overlap, call our local restoration team in Cape Coral as soon as the roof is tarped.