Emergency Roof Repair in Pensacola — What to Do After the Storm

Storms here aren’t “if.” They’re “when.”

Heavy rain. Strong wind. Flying limbs. One hard gust and a few shingles lift. Then water finds a path. It doesn’t take long. A small leak can turn into ceiling stains, wet insulation, and damaged drywall in a single afternoon.

If your roof took a hit in Pensacola, breathe. You’ve got steps you can take right now to protect your home — safely, quickly, and without panic. The goal is simple: keep water out, document what happened, and line up a local crew that won’t pressure you or vanish.

We’ll walk you through the first hour, the first day, and what to expect when help arrives. You don’t have to climb a ladder. You don’t need fancy gear. Just a clear plan and a calm approach.

Let’s keep your home dry and your family safe.

First Steps Right After the Storm

1) Stay safe — don’t climb the roof.

Wet shingles are slick. Wind can shift fast. Power lines can be hidden in branches. If you can see damage from the ground or a window, that’s enough for now. Your safety comes first. Let pros handle the roof.

2) Stop interior water from spreading.

Move furniture, rugs, and electronics away from drips. Lay towels. Set out buckets where you see active leaks. If a ceiling is bulging, don’t stand under it. Poke a small hole with a screwdriver to release water into a bucket. That controlled drain can save the whole sheet of drywall.

3) Kill power to wet areas if needed.

If water is near outlets or light fixtures, shut off the breaker to that room. Do it at the panel — not at the switch. Electricity and water don’t mix. When in doubt, turn it off and wait for a pro.

4) Document everything.

Take clear photos and short videos of:

• Roof areas you can see from the ground.

• Shingles in the yard or driveway.

• Damaged gutters, flashing, or vents.

• Interior stains, wet drywall, puddles, and any damaged belongings.

Shoot wide shots and close-ups. Time-stamp if your phone allows. Save receipts later for towels, tarps, fans, or hotel stays. All of this helps with insurance.

5) Call a local roofer — not a random number on a flyer.

After storms, “contractors” you’ve never seen before flood neighborhoods. Some are fine. Many are not. Get with a local, licensed, insured roofer with a physical presence in Escambia, Santa Rosa, or Okaloosa. Ask for same-day triage. Ask if they’ll provide photos and a simple written scope. A good crew will.

6) Get a temporary dry-in fast.

If rain is still in the forecast, ask about emergency tarping or a membrane “dry-in.” This is a short-term seal over missing shingles, cracked flashing, or exposed decking. Done right, it buys you time until permanent repairs or a replacement. Don’t attempt complex tarping yourself. Falls send people to the ER every storm season.

7) Call insurance when damage is obvious.

If you see missing shingles, tree impact, or interior water, start the claim. Give the adjuster your photos. Share the roofer’s name and ask if they can meet on site. Local roofers do this all the time. They speak the same language as adjusters and can point to exact roof components in question.

8) Ventilate and dry the space.

Run fans and dehumidifiers in wet rooms. Crack windows if weather allows. The faster things dry, the less chance of mold. Keep the AC running — it helps pull moisture out of the air.

9) Keep decisions calm and on paper.

In the first 24–48 hours, your job is to stop water and document damage. Avoid signing anything that locks you into a full replacement before an inspection and a clear scope. Get options in writing — repair vs replacement — with photos to back it up. No pressure, just facts.

10) Plan for the next rain.

Ask your roofer to prioritize the most vulnerable sections first — ridges, valleys, chimneys, and any place where planes meet. If another storm hits tomorrow, those details matter most.

Temporary Measures to Stop the Leak

Once the storm passes, the clock starts. Water moves fast — through insulation, into drywall, down studs. The sooner you keep it out, the less repair work stacks up later. Here’s how to get through the gap between the storm and permanent roof work.

Covering the Roof

Tarps and temporary membranes are the go-to fixes. A heavy-duty tarp, properly secured, can buy you days or even weeks of protection. But here’s the catch — most DIY tarp jobs fail. They’re too small, nailed into shingles (which causes more leaks), or not tight enough to survive the next gust.

Professional roofers use thicker tarps or peel-and-stick underlayments rated for water and wind. They anchor at the ridge, wrap edges, and seal overlaps. Done right, this temporary “dry-in” can hold until insurance clears and crews roll in for permanent work. Done wrong, you’re back to square one with more water damage.

Bottom line: call a pro if you need tarping. If you must DIY, use the largest tarp you can, stretch it tight, and anchor it at least 3–4 feet over the ridge. Never nail through the field of the roof — stick to edges, fascia, or secure it with weights. And never risk the climb if you don’t have fall protection.

Inside the House

Move valuables. Shift furniture, electronics, and rugs out of drip zones. Cover what you can’t move with plastic sheets or even trash bags.

Catch and control water. Place buckets under active leaks. Line them with towels to soften drips and cut splashing. Rotate full buckets before they overflow.

Relieve ceiling pressure. If a ceiling starts to sag or bubble, it’s holding water. Don’t wait for it to burst. Poke a small hole with a screwdriver and let the water drain into a bucket. It’s easier to patch one controlled hole than replace a whole ceiling section that collapses.

Dry what you can. Set up fans. Run dehumidifiers. Open closet and cabinet doors near wet spots to circulate air. Keep the AC on if power is safe — it pulls humidity out of the house. The faster you dry, the less mold grows.

Keep It Safe

It’s tempting to “fix” everything right away. But emergency measures are just that — temporary. They buy time. They don’t solve the problem. Don’t let anyone sell you on a permanent repair in the dark with a hammer and a handful of nails.

Get it covered. Get it documented. Get a plan for the real fix.

Choosing the Right Roofing Help

After a storm, you’ll see trucks everywhere. Some are neighbors. Some are here today, gone tomorrow. Picking the right help matters more than anything else you do.

Go local first.

Local crews know our codes, our inspectors, and our weather. They have a shop you can visit. They answer the phone next season if something pops up. Storm chasers don’t.

Check license and insurance.

Ask for a Florida roofing license number. Ask for proof of general liability and workers’ comp. Verify the license on the Florida state site. Five minutes now can save months later.

Ask for photos and a written scope.

A good roofer will show you what they found — torn shingles, lifted flashing, soft decking — with clear photos. They’ll give you a simple written plan: what gets repaired, what gets replaced, and why. Materials listed by name. Underlayment type. Venting plan. Flashing details. Cleanup plan. Timeline. Warranty. In writing.

Beware of pressure.

If someone wants you to sign on the spot “before your neighbor does,” walk away. If they say “we’ll cover your deductible,” walk away. If they ask for full payment up front, walk away. Good companies earn the job with clear info, not scare tactics. Deposits are normal. Paying everything before work starts is not.

Keep control of your insurance claim.

Avoid signing anything that hands your insurance benefits to a contractor. Keep decisions in your hands. You can absolutely let a roofer meet the adjuster and share photos. That helps. But you should approve the scope and costs. In plain English.

Ask about permits and inspections.

Repairs may not need a permit. Replacements usually do. A local roofer will pull the right permit under their license and schedule inspections. If they ask you to pull it as “owner,” that’s a red flag.

Check references you can drive by.

Ask for three recent jobs in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Pace, or Milton. Drive by if you can. Look at cleanup, flashing lines, and straight courses. Short list the crews whose work looks tidy — details on the edges tell the story.

Compare apples to apples.

Make sure bids use the same materials. Shingle brand and line. Underlayment type. Ice and water shield locations. Fastener count. Venting. Flashing. Deck repairs by square foot or by sheet. If one bid is way lower, something’s missing.

Ask about response time and triage.

In emergencies, you need a same-day or next-day dry-in. Ask how quickly they tarp, who does it, and what it costs. Ask if they send photos right after. Speed matters — but so does doing it right the first time.

Red flags to avoid

• No license or won’t show it.

• Out-of-state plates and no local address.

• Won’t give insurance proof with your name on the COI.

• Cash only. Big upfront payment.

• “Today-only” price.

• Won’t put scope and materials in writing.

• Wants you to sign away your claim or benefits.

What working with a local, no-pressure crew feels like

You call. We answer. We tarp fast if needed. We take photos and explain what happened. We lay out repair vs replacement options. We help with the paperwork but don’t push. We schedule, protect your landscaping, clean up daily, and stand behind the work when the next storm rolls in.

Leak, storm damage, or just an aging roof? We’ll show photos, explain options, and handle the paperwork — no pressure, just a dry home.

What an Emergency Roof Repair Looks Like

When a local crew shows up, the goal is simple — stop water today and set up the permanent fix. Here’s what that visit usually includes.

Fast check-in and safety sweep.

We start on the ground. We look for downed lines, hanging limbs, and loose gutters. If the roof is safe to access, we go up. If not, we call in the right equipment. Safety first — every time.

Photo-backed inspection.

We walk ridges, valleys, penetrations, and edges. We check shingles, flashing, vents, and any soft decking. We take clear photos and short videos so you can see what we see — from the driveway.

Moisture check inside.

If you’ve got ceiling spots, we’ll look in the attic. We check insulation for wet zones and mark areas to dry. Fans and dehumidifiers may be needed to protect drywall and framing.

Temporary dry-in.

We install a proper storm-grade tarp or peel-and-stick underlayment over the damaged area. We secure at the ridge, seal overlaps, and protect edges. If flashing failed, we seal it tight. The goal is a watertight cover that holds until permanent work.

Deck repairs if needed.

If wind or a limb punched the decking, we’ll replace those sheets now or at the start of the permanent repair. Exposed wood gets sealed. Open nail holes get patched. No shortcuts.

Clear plan and simple scope.

You’ll get a written scope with photos: what failed, what we covered, and what comes next — repair vs replacement — with materials listed by name. We’ll include timelines, permit needs, and how we’ll protect landscaping and clean up.

Scheduling the permanent fix.

We order materials right away, confirm color and brand, and set the earliest install date. If more rain is coming, we re-check the tarp the day before each storm to keep you dry.

Common Roof Damage We See After Pensacola Storms

Missing or creased shingles.

Wind lifts shingles and breaks the seal. You’ll see tabs missing or lines where shingles creased and won’t lay flat again. These leak at nail lines and need repair or replacement.

Lifted or cracked flashing.

Chimneys, walls, and pipes rely on metal flashing. Wind can lift it. Water then slips behind it and shows up as stains far from the source. We reseal or replace with proper step and counter flashing.

Ridge and hip damage.

Caps along ridges and hips take the brunt of wind. If they go, water rides the peak and runs under nearby courses. We replace caps and re-seal the line.

Valley failures.

Where roof planes meet, water moves fast. Debris builds up, metal valleys bend, or shingles wear thin. Leaks here spread fast inside. We clean, re-line, or rebuild valleys as needed.

Vent and penetration leaks.

Pipe boots crack with age. Box vents and turbine vents can blow loose. Satellite mounts and old nail holes are common culprits. We replace bad boots, reflash vents, and seal old holes.

Tree impact and punctures.

Limbs can punch through shingles and decking. Even a small hole lets water pour in. We remove debris, replace damaged decking, and dry-in the area until full repair.

Gutter and edge issues.

Bent drip edge or torn gutters let water back up under shingles. We straighten or replace edge metals and make sure water moves off the roof the right way.

Hidden water paths.

Not every leak shows up under the damage. Water can travel along felt, trusses, or drywall and drip rooms away. That’s why photo-backed inspections and attic checks matter. We track the path, not just the puddle.

Working with Insurance

Insurance can feel like a maze. We’ll keep it simple.

Start a claim when damage is clear — missing shingles, tree impact, interior water. Share your photos and short videos. Note dates and times. Keep receipts for tarps, fans, hotel stays, and any emergency work. Those can get reimbursed.

Ask your roofer to meet the adjuster. Local crews do this every week in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa. We point out wind damage, lifted flashing, soft decking, and water paths. We speak roof — so nothing gets missed.

Get everything in writing. Scope of work. Materials by name. Underlayment type. Flashing plan. Deck repair allowances. Venting. Cleanup. Warranty. If something isn’t listed, it often isn’t covered.

Keep control of your benefits. Don’t sign documents that hand over your claim rights. You choose the contractor. You approve the work. A good roofer helps with paperwork and photos — without pressure.

If the adjuster misses damage, you can request a re-inspection. Your roofer brings the photos and walks the roof again. It’s normal. The goal is a fair scope that fixes the whole problem, not just the obvious spot.

Pay by milestones, not all up front. Deposit, materials drop, mid-job, and final after cleanup. That keeps everyone aligned and protects your home.

Preventing Future Emergencies

The best emergency is the one you never have. A few smart habits go a long way on the Gulf.

Schedule regular roof inspections — once a year, and always after a big storm. Catching a cracked boot or lifted ridge cap now is cheaper than repairing ceilings later.

Clear gutters and valleys. Water needs a clean path off the roof. Leaves and pine straw push water sideways and under shingles. Keep trees trimmed back from the roofline to cut limb damage and shade-moss issues.

Upgrade weak links when it makes sense. Impact-rated shingles or a metal roof. Proper underlayment. Sealed roof deck. Better attic ventilation. Correct flashing at walls and chimneys. These add upfront cost — and save you from repeat leaks and higher insurance long term.

Know your roof’s age. Most shingle roofs last 15–25 years here, depending on brand, install quality, and weather. If you’re seeing granules in the gutters, curling tabs, or widespread cracking, plan ahead. It’s cheaper to replace on your timeline than in the middle of storm season.

Keep records. Photos from the day your roof was installed. Warranty info. Inspection notes. When a storm hits, you’ll have proof of condition — and a faster, cleaner claim.

Ready for Help?

Leak, storm damage, or a tired roof? We’ll show photos, explain options, and handle the paperwork — no pressure, just a dry home.

Need a same-day tarp in Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Pace, or Milton?

Reach out below, and we’ll triage fast, then map the permanent fix with you.