Roofing Tips & Guides
Expert Roofing Advice for Charlotte Homeowners
Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
Learn from Charlotte's trusted roofing experts. Tips on maintenance, repair, replacement, and protecting your home from the elements.
You hear that drip. Then another. Then you see it, water coming through your ceiling.
Your heart races. Your mind spins. You grab your phone and call the first roofing company you can find. They say they're on their way. But now what?
That time between calling roof contractors and hearing them knock on your door can feel like forever. Every drip sounds louder. Every water stain looks bigger. You want to do something, but you don't know what's safe.
Here's the good news. There are things you can do right now. Smart moves that protect your home. Simple steps that save you money. Actions that make everything easier when help arrives.
We've been answering emergency calls in Charlotte and Lake Norman for years. We've seen what works. We've seen what doesn't. And we've seen homeowners turn panic into progress with just a few smart decisions.
Let's walk through the five things you should do while waiting for your roofers to arrive.
This might sound obvious. But you'd be surprised how many people we've seen climb onto wet roofs during a storm. Or stick their heads into attics with standing water. Or touch electrical fixtures near leaks.
Please don't do any of that.
Your safety matters more than your roof. Always. Here's what staying safe actually looks like:
Stay off the roof. Even if you think you can see the problem, wet shingles are slippery. Damaged areas might not hold your weight. And if it's still raining or windy? That's a recipe for disaster. Leave the climbing to professional roof contractors who have the right gear and training.
Watch for electrical hazards. If water is dripping near light fixtures, outlets, or your electrical panel, turn off the power to that area if you can do it safely. Water and electricity don't mix. When in doubt, stay clear and let the professionals handle it.
Keep kids and pets away. Falling debris, sharp materials, and wet floors create risks. Set up a safe zone away from the affected area.
According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, falls are one of the leading causes of injury during roof emergencies. Most of those falls happen to homeowners, not professionals. The few minutes you save by climbing up yourself aren't worth the risk.
Once you're safe, it's time to save your stuff.
Water moves fast. That small drip in the corner of your living room can spread across the ceiling in minutes. It can soak into drywall. Seep into insulation. Ruin furniture, electronics, and family photos before you even realize what's happening.
Here's your action plan:
Move valuables immediately. Start with electronics, TVs, computers, gaming systems. Then grab anything irreplaceable, photo albums, important documents, heirlooms. Don't worry about heavy furniture yet. Focus on what you can carry quickly.
Cover what you can't move. Plastic tarps, shower curtains, even garbage bags work in a pinch. Drape them over large furniture, appliances, and anything that can't be easily moved. This creates a barrier between the dripping water and your belongings.
Roll up rugs and move them. Wet rugs grow mold fast. If you can lift them, get them to a dry area. If they're already soaked, roll them up and get them outside as soon as possible.
We helped a family in South Charlotte last spring who lost thousands of dollars in electronics because they waited to move things. The leak looked small at first. But by morning, water had spread across half the living room ceiling. Quick action in those first 30 minutes would have saved them a lot of money and heartache.
You can't stop the leak. But you can control where the water goes.
This is damage control 101. And it works. Here's how to do it right:
Grab every container you have. Buckets, pots, pans, plastic bins, trash cans, anything that holds water. Place them directly under drips. If water is spreading along a ceiling, try to predict where it will drip next and place containers there too.
Use towels strategically. Old towels and rags can absorb water that's spreading across floors. Lay them around your containers to catch splashes. Replace them when they get saturated.
Create a drainage path if needed. Sometimes water pools on a ceiling before it finds a place to drip. You might see a bulging section of drywall filling with water. This is actually dangerous, that ceiling could collapse under the weight.
Here's a trick that sounds crazy but works: poke a small hole in the center of the bulge with a screwdriver or awl. Yes, this creates a leak. But it's a controlled leak into a bucket you've placed below. This prevents the whole ceiling section from collapsing and causing way more damage.
⚠️ Warning: Only do this if you're confident there are no electrical wires in that area. When in doubt, wait for the professionals.
While you're waiting for roofing companies to arrive, grab your phone. Start taking pictures and videos. This step is crucial for insurance claims and repair estimates.
Insurance companies need proof. They want to see the damage as it happened. Not after it's been cleaned up. Not after repairs have started. Right now, while water is actively coming through your roof.
Here's what to capture:
The source of the leak. Get shots of where water is entering your home. Include the ceiling, walls, or any visible entry points.
The spread of water. Document how far the water has traveled. Show wet floors, walls, and any water stains forming.
Damaged belongings. Photograph anything that's been affected: furniture, electronics, personal items. Get close-ups that clearly show the damage.
The exterior if safe. If the storm has passed and you can safely see your roof from the ground, take photos of any visible damage like missing shingles, fallen branches, or debris.
Time-stamped images matter. Most phone cameras automatically add date and time information. This becomes valuable evidence when filing claims.
We always tell our customers: the more documentation you have, the smoother your insurance process will be. Insurance adjusters appreciate thorough records. It shows you're organized and honest about the damage.
Keep all your photos in a dedicated folder on your phone. Better yet, back them up to the cloud right away. You don't want to lose this evidence if your phone gets damaged too.
When you call roofing companies, clear communication helps everyone. The more information you share, the better prepared the team will be when they arrive.
Here's what to tell them:
Describe the leak location. "Water is coming through the ceiling in the master bedroom" is more helpful than "my roof is leaking." Be specific about which room, which floor, and approximately where on the ceiling or wall.
Explain what you see outside. Did you notice missing shingles from the ground? Is there a tree branch on your roof? Any visible damage you can describe helps the crew prepare.
Share the timeline. When did you first notice the leak? Has it gotten worse? How fast is water coming in? This information helps contractors prioritize and plan.
Ask about their arrival time. Get a realistic estimate so you can plan accordingly. Good roof contractors will give you an honest timeframe and keep you updated if anything changes.
Discuss temporary measures. Ask if there's anything else you should do while waiting. Some situations require specific actions that a professional can guide you through over the phone.
At Best Roofing Now, we stay in constant communication with our emergency customers. From the moment you call until we arrive at your door, you'll know exactly what's happening. That's just how we do business here in Charlotte.
Once professional roof contractors get to your home, everything changes. The waiting is over. The real work begins.
Here's what you can expect from quality roofing companies:
Immediate assessment. The crew will inspect the damage, both inside and outside your home. They'll identify the source of the leak and determine the best approach.
Temporary protection. In most emergency situations, the first priority is stopping water from entering. This often means tarping the damaged area. A good tarp job can protect your home for days or even weeks while permanent repairs are scheduled.
Honest evaluation. A trustworthy contractor will tell you exactly what they find. Sometimes a leak that looks terrible is actually a simple fix. Other times, what seems minor reveals bigger problems underneath. You deserve the truth either way.
Clear next steps. Before leaving, your roofing team should explain what happens next. When will permanent repairs happen? What materials are needed? How long will it take? What should you watch for in the meantime?
Living in Charlotte and Lake Norman means dealing with weather surprises. Summer thunderstorms roll in fast. Hurricane season brings heavy rain and wind. Winter ice storms catch everyone off guard.
Your roof takes the hit every single time.
The best defense is being prepared before emergencies happen. Know which roofing companies you trust. Save their number in your phone. Don't wait until water is dripping on your head to start searching for "roof contractors near me."
Regular roof maintenance also helps. Small issues caught early rarely become midnight emergencies. A loose shingle fixed in October won't turn into a leak during a January ice storm.
If you want to learn more about protecting your home, check out our guide on finding the best roofing companies in Charlotte.
Roof emergencies are stressful. There's no way around that. But you have more control than you think.
Stay safe. Protect your belongings. Contain the water. Document everything. Communicate clearly.
These five steps turn chaos into order. They transform panic into peace of mind. And they set you up for success when your roofing team arrives.
We've helped hundreds of Charlotte homeowners through emergencies just like yours. From Myers Park to Lake Norman, from South End to Huntersville: we've seen it all. And we've watched smart homeowners make these moves to protect their homes and families.
You're not alone in this. Help is coming.
Need emergency roof help right now? Call Best Roofing Now. We answer 24/7, and we'll be there when you need us most. Contact us today for immediate assistance or to schedule a free inspection before the next storm hits. ✅
Best Roofing Now
Charlotte's trusted roofing experts since 2019
Based on this article, you may be interested in these services.
We proudly serve these Charlotte-area communities with professional roofing services.
View All Service Areas →Get a free roof inspection and honest assessment from Charlotte's most trusted roofing company.
