Help! My Roof Is Leaking. What DFW Homeowners Should Do Right Now

It’s a moment every homeowner dreads: the tell-tale drip, drip, drip from the ceiling or the sudden appearance of an ugly, brown water stain. A leaking roof is more than just an inconvenience; it’s an emergency that can lead to significant damage to your home’s structure, insulation, and personal belongings if not addressed immediately.

For homeowners in McKinney, Dallas, and across North Texas, the combination of intense rainstorms and aging roofs makes leaks a common reality. Panicking is a natural first reaction, but knowing the right steps to take can save you thousands of dollars in repairs. Here is your emergency action plan.

Step 1: Minimize Interior Damage Immediately

Before you even think about the roof itself, your first priority is to control the water inside your house to prevent further damage.

• Contain the Drip: Place buckets, pots, or plastic tubs directly under the leak. If the water is splashing, put an old towel or t-shirt in the bottom of the bucket to absorb the impact. If the ceiling is bulging, the water may be pooling. In this case, it can be safer to carefully puncture the center of the bulge with a screwdriver to release the water in a controlled stream into your bucket. This prevents the drywall from collapsing under the weight.
• Move Your Valuables: Quickly move all furniture, electronics, rugs, and any other valuable or sentimental items out of the affected area. If something is too heavy to move, cover it with thick plastic sheeting.
• Soak Up Excess Water: Use old towels, mops, or a wet-dry vacuum to soak up any water that has already pooled on the floor to protect your flooring from water damage.

Step 2: Identify the Source of the Leak (If Possible)

Finding the exact spot where water is entering your home can be tricky. Water often travels along rafters or decking from the entry point before it drips down onto your ceiling.

Head up to your attic with a flashlight, but be extremely cautious. Only walk on secure framing or joists—never step on the drywall ceiling. Look for signs of water intrusion:

• Wet or dripping insulation
• Dark stains or black marks on the wood
• Water glistening on nails or roof decking

If you can find the general area, it will be helpful information when you call a professional. However, do not go on your roof, especially during or after a rainstorm. A wet roof is incredibly slippery and dangerous. Leave the rooftop inspection to the experts.

Step 3: Call a Professional McKinney Roofing Contractor

Once you have controlled the immediate situation inside, your very next call should be to a trusted, local roofing company. A reputable roofer like Good Work Roofing can provide emergency services to mitigate the damage.

This is a critical step for two main reasons:

1. Safety and Expertise: Our trained technicians have the safety equipment and experience to get on your roof, identify the source of the leak quickly, and perform a temporary fix to stop more water from getting in.
2. Insurance Documentation: We will thoroughly document the damage with photos and a detailed report, which is essential for filing a successful homeowner’s insurance claim.

What is Emergency Roof Tarping?

In many cases, the first thing we will do is perform an emergency roof tarping. This involves securing a heavy-duty waterproof tarp over the damaged section of your roof. This is a temporary but highly effective measure to protect your home from further rain until a permanent repair can be scheduled.

Step 4: Document the Damage and Contact Your Insurance Company

With the leak temporarily stopped, you can now focus on the insurance process.

• Take Photos of Everything: Document every aspect of the damage. Take pictures of the stained ceiling and walls, the wet floors, the buckets collecting water, and any damaged personal property. The more evidence you have, the smoother your claim process will be.
• Review Your Policy: Look over your homeowner’s insurance policy to understand your coverage for roof leaks and water damage.
• File Your Claim: Call your insurance agent to officially start the claims process. Provide them with the date you noticed the leak and the details you’ve collected. Let them know you have already contacted a professional roofer for emergency mitigation.

Don’t Delay—A Small Leak Can Become a Big Problem

The most important thing to remember is that roof leaks never fix themselves; they only get worse. What starts as a small drip can quickly lead to:

• Mold and Mildew Growth: Trapped moisture in your attic and behind walls creates a perfect breeding ground for toxic mold.
• Wood Rot: Persistent water exposure will rot your roof decking, rafters, and ceiling joists, compromising your home’s structural integrity.
• Destroyed Insulation: Wet insulation becomes compressed and useless, leading to higher energy bills.
• Electrical Hazards: Water coming into contact with electrical wiring is a serious fire risk.

If your roof is leaking, don’t wait.

The moment you spot a leak, call the emergency response team at Good Work Roofing. We serve homeowners across McKinney and the DFW metroplex with fast, reliable, and professional leak repair services. We’ll help you protect your home, navigate the insurance process, and restore your peace of mind.