What to do — and not do — when a storm tears open your roof.
First: protect the interior
Move belongings out of the affected area and place buckets to catch active leaks. Cover furniture and electronics with plastic.
Call a real roofer, not a call center
After major storms, out-of-state "storm chasers" flood the Huntsville area. Choose a local, licensed roofer who'll be here next year too.
Get a tarp on it fast
A proper tarp prevents secondary water damage that can cost more than the roof itself. We dispatch tarp crews 24/7.
Don't sign over your insurance check
Never sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) without legal review.
Document everything
Photos, timestamps, and the storm event are critical for your insurance claim.
Need a real opinion on your roof?
Free, no-pressure inspections across Huntsville and North Alabama.
Local Factors That Change Emergency Roof Repair Guide in Huntsville
North Alabama averages well over 50 inches of rain a year, and the Tennessee Valley sits in a spring severe-weather corridor. That combination — heavy rain, spring hail, and fall straight-line wind — is what turns small roofing defects into interior damage here faster than in drier climates.
Local code matters too. Roofing work inside Huntsville city limits follows the International Residential Code as adopted locally, which sets nailing patterns, drip edge, underlayment, and attic ventilation minimums — and allows no more than two roof coverings before a full tear-off is required. When a roof is replaced, the new installation has to meet current code even if the old one predated it.
What to Do Next
- 1Write down when you first noticed the issue — carriers and contractors both ask for a date.
- 2Look for granules in gutters and at downspout outlets, which signals shingle wear or impact.
- 3Avoid climbing the roof yourself; wet or aging shingles cause most homeowner falls.
- 4Have the roof and attic inspected together, since half the useful evidence is underneath.
- 5Compare any two estimates line by line: underlayment, flashing, ventilation, warranty.