What Should I Do If My Roof Starts Leaking During a Storm?

A roof leak during a Houston storm is more than just a nuisance—it’s an emergency. With our city’s intense downpours, hail, and wind, even a small leak can turn into major damage fast. If your roof starts leaking mid-storm, here’s what you need to do right away to protect your home, your safety, and your wallet.

How to Handle a Leaking Roof During a Storm

Step 1: Protect What’s Inside

Your first priority is stopping water from ruining your belongings. Move furniture, electronics, and valuables out of the path of the leak. Use buckets, pots, or plastic bins to collect dripping water and minimize floor damage. If the ceiling is sagging, it’s holding water—poke a small hole with a screwdriver to release it safely.

Quick checklist:

• Move furniture and rugs

• Place containers under the leak

• Use towels or plastic sheeting

“Stopping water damage quickly is key. The longer it sits, the more it costs to fix.” — Owens Corning

Step 2: Stay Safe—Avoid Electrical Hazards

Never touch wet electrical outlets or fixtures. Water and electricity are a dangerous mix. If water is near your fuse box, outlets, or light fixtures, shut off power to that area of the house until it’s dry and safe.

In Spring and The Heights, older homes often have outdated wiring that can make this step even more critical.

Step 3: Contain the Leak if You Can

If it’s safe and accessible, you might be able to apply a temporary patch inside the attic. Roofing cement, a tarp, or even heavy-duty plastic sheeting can help hold back water until the rain stops. But don’t climb on the roof during a storm—that’s dangerous and rarely effective in bad weather.

“If you can see roof damage from the ground, there’s more you can’t.” — Owens Corning

Step 4: Call for Emergency Roof Repairs

Once your home is secure, call a local roofing company that offers 24/7 emergency roof repairs in Houston. At Altum, we dispatch crews immediately to:

• Cover exposed areas with tarps

• Stop active leaks

• Assess damage and create a repair plan

Our team has handled hundreds of storm-related roof emergencies in areas like Cypress, Pearland, and Memorial, where high winds and hail are common.

Call Altum at (832) 532-8671 for emergency help.

Step 5: Document Everything for Insurance

Take clear photos and videos of the damage—inside and out. Capture:

• Water damage on ceilings, walls, and floors

• Leaking spots and buckets in use

• Visible roof damage (from the ground only)

This documentation is essential when filing a storm damage insurance claim. And if you need help, Altum’s team can walk you through every step, from adjuster meetings to final paperwork.

What Causes Roof Leaks During Houston Storms?

Our climate creates the perfect conditions for roof damage:

• Heavy rain exposes cracks and failed sealants

• Wind uplift tears shingles and loosens flashing

• Hail punches holes in asphalt, especially in neighborhoods like Katy and Kingwood

• Humidity over time causes hidden rot or mold

And Houston’s building codes require proper underlayment and flashing, but not all roofs are built or maintained to that standard. At Altum, we’ve seen leaks that start from tiny issues like nail pops or clogged vents—but the damage they cause isn’t tiny at all.

Prevent Future Leaks With Routine Roof Maintenance

The best way to avoid a storm leak is to prevent it in the first place. Altum offers affordable, no-pressure roof maintenance plans that include:

• Annual inspections

• Leak sealing and vent checks

• Shingle repair and cleaning

Call Altum for Fast, Reliable Storm Leak Repair

If your roof is leaking during a storm, don’t wait. Call the team that Houston homeowners trust for fast action, honest answers, and long-lasting fixes.

Reach Altum Contractors at (832) 532-8671