Emergency roof repair in Sunnyvale, CA

Emergency roof repair is a temporary measure that stops water from coming in until a permanent repair can be done. It is usually a tarp or shrink-wrap cover over the damaged area. It protects your home from further damage, but it isn't the final repair. Make the room safe, call, and leave the roof itself to us.

What counts as a roof emergency

Not every roof problem needs an emergency response. This table helps you sort what you are seeing.

What to do right now, inside the house

1. Make people safe. Stay out of rooms with a sagging ceiling. Keep children and pets away from wet areas.
2. Watch the electrics. If water is near light fixtures, outlets or the electrical panel, turn off power to that area only if you can reach the breaker safely and the floor around it is dry. Otherwise stay away and call an electrician or your utility.
3. Contain the water. Use buckets, towels and plastic sheeting. Move furniture and valuables out of the way, and lift what you can't move.
4. Document it. Take photos and a short video of the damage and the water before you clean up.
5. Stay off the roof. Wet, windy or damaged roofs are dangerous. Look from the ground if you need to.
6. Call (669) 240-7171 and describe what you see.

What to tell us when you call

A clear description helps us plan. Have these ready if you can:

• Where the water is coming in, and which part of the house it's on.
• What you think caused it: a storm, a fallen branch, missing roofing or a sudden leak.
• Your roof type, if you know it: shingle, tile, flat or metal.
• Whether anyone is hurt or any area is unsafe.
• Whether you have photos you can share.

Say right away that water is coming in. We are open 24/7. Roof work depends on weather and safe conditions, so the more clearly you describe the situation, the better we can plan.

Emergency roof tarping

Tarping covers the damaged area with heavy-duty sheeting so rain can't reach the opening. A properly installed tarp isn't just laid on the roof. It extends well beyond the damage, usually up and over the ridge, and is secured with wood strips and fasteners so wind can't lift it.

A tarp is a short-term fix. It can wear in sun, flap in strong wind or collect water if it isn't pulled tight. The fasteners also leave small holes in the roofing that have to be repaired when the tarp comes off. For that reason, tarping is best done by a trained crew that knows how to secure it.

Project photo placeholderAdd: a tarp or shrink-wrap cover installed by our crew

Shrink-wrap roofing

Shrink-wrap roofing uses heavy plastic film that is draped over the roof and then heated so it tightens like a skin. It is strapped or sealed at the edges. Because it fits closely, wind has less to grab. It is often used for larger damaged areas, complex roof shapes, or when repairs will take time.

It requires trained crews with heat tools and fire safety practices, so it's not a do-it-yourself job. Shrink-wrap suits bigger or longer-term situations, and a simple tarp often covers a smaller area.

What a temporary cover can't do

• It isn't a repair. The damaged roofing, flashing or wood is still there under the cover.
• It doesn't last forever. Sun, wind and rain wear it down, so a permanent repair should follow.
• It can't fix structural damage. A sagging or cracked roof needs a professional inspection.
• It doesn't dry the inside. Wet insulation, drywall and wood still need attention.

Check the cover after storms or strong wind, but do it from the ground. If it has shifted, call us rather than climbing up.

After the emergency: the permanent repair

Once the cover is on and the rain has passed, the real work begins. We look at what is under the cover and find the cause. To understand that step, read how the source of a leak is found. What happens next depends on what failed:

• Storm-torn roofing is covered under replacing storm-damaged shingles.
• Water that got in at joints and vents points to damaged flashing and vent seals.
• A flat or low-slope roof has its own methods, described under repairs on a low-slope roof.

Plan interior work as well. Wet insulation and drywall may need to be replaced once the roof is sealed and everything has dried.

Storm damage and insurance paperwork

If you think your homeowners insurance may cover the damage, a few habits help. Take photos and video before anything is moved. Keep receipts for any temporary protection. Many policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, such as a temporary cover. Contact your insurer promptly, and ask before you throw away damaged materials.

What is covered varies from policy to policy and with the cause of the damage, so your insurer has the final word. This is general information, not insurance advice.

Roof emergencies in Sunnyvale

Most roof emergencies here happen during the rainy months, when the first strong storms find the weak spots that built up over the dry season. Wind and falling branches add to the risk. Flat roofs can pool water in heavy rain.

The area is also earthquake country. After strong shaking, check from the ground for slipped tiles or a cracked chimney. Keep away from a damaged chimney, since it can fall, and call us to take a look.

What affects the cost of emergency roof work

Emergency work is priced by the job, so no numbers are shown here. These are the things that move it:

• Size and shape of the damaged area. Larger or more complex roofs need more material and time.
• Roof height, pitch and access. A tall or steep roof calls for extra safety gear and crew.
• Tarp or shrink-wrap. The method changes the materials and crew.
• Conditions. Wind and rain make the work slower and harder.
• Interior water damage. Drying out and repairing the inside is separate.
• The permanent repair. It comes after the temporary cover and is usually quoted separately.

What to ask any roofer

• How will the cover be fastened, and how will the holes be repaired later?
• How long can this cover stay in place before the permanent repair?
• Can you send photos of the damage and of the finished cover?
• Will the permanent repair be quoted separately, in writing?
• Who handles any interior water damage?

Questions about this repair