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What Should You Do After Your Roof Is Blown Off?

Last updated October 23, 2026

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The short answer

Ensure Safety and Report the Damage

Your immediate priority is safety. Keep everyone, including pets, out of the home if the structure is unstable. Do not attempt to inspect the damage yourself from inside the attic or upper floors. Once you are in a safe location, contact your homeowner's insurance provider to start a claim for the significant loss.

Document everything for your claim. Take clear photos and videos of the damage from a safe distance outside. Make a list of damaged personal property if it is safe to access. Keep all receipts for any temporary repairs or related expenses. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered.

Secure Your Home from Further Damage

A missing roof leaves your home exposed to the elements. Rain and wind can cause extensive secondary water damage very quickly. To prevent this, you need a professional emergency tarping service. This creates a temporary, watertight seal over the opening.

Local water damage pros can install a heavy-duty tarp properly anchored to your roof's framing. This critical step protects your home's interior, including drywall, insulation, and flooring, from storms. It is a standard practice that your insurance company typically expects you to arrange to mitigate further loss.

  • Do not climb onto the damaged roof yourself.
  • Move valuable items and furniture away from exposed areas.
  • Place buckets or tarps indoors only if it is safe to do so.
  • Turn off electricity to affected areas at the breaker panel if wiring is exposed.
  • Avoid using the home's HVAC system if the ductwork is open to the weather.
  • Contact a qualified roofer for a permanent repair estimate after the initial emergency.

Arrange for a Water Damage Inspection

Even with a tarp, water may have already entered your home. A thorough inspection by a water damage professional is essential. They use moisture meters and thermal imaging to find hidden dampness inside walls, ceilings, and floors. This inspection maps the full extent of the damage that needs drying.

The resulting report is vital for your insurance claim. It provides documented proof of the damage scope and the necessary restoration steps. Without this inspection, trapped moisture can lead to mold growth and structural rot within days, creating much larger and more expensive problems.

Begin the Drying and Restoration Process

If the inspection finds wet materials, professional drying must begin immediately. The pros will set up industrial air movers and dehumidifiers to remove moisture from the structure and the air. This process, called water mitigation, is the most effective way to save building materials and prevent mold.

Wet drywall, insulation, and flooring often need to be removed. These porous materials hold water and are difficult to dry completely in place. The restoration process involves removing damaged items, thoroughly drying the structure, and cleaning for sanitation. Rebuilding the affected areas follows once the structure is dry.

Stay in close communication with your insurance adjuster. Provide them with the reports and documentation from the water damage inspection and tarping service. You are responsible for preventing further damage, so keep records of all communications and authorized work. Your adjuster will guide you through the claims process for repairs.

Permanent roof replacement is a separate project handled by a qualified roofing contractor. Do not schedule the full roof replacement until your insurance company has assessed the damage and agreed on the scope and cost. The water damage restoration and roof repair are two coordinated phases of getting your home back to normal.

  • Review your policy's dwelling and loss of use coverage details.
  • Ask your adjuster about advance payments for immediate living expenses if you are displaced.
  • Obtain multiple estimates for the permanent roof repair from qualified roofers.
  • Ensure your restoration pro and roofer coordinate on timing for tarp removal.
  • Keep a detailed log of all phone calls with dates and the representative's name.
  • Consider consulting a public adjuster if you encounter significant disputes with your insurer.

Water damage does not wait

Phones are answered 24/7 for Chandler and nearby communities.

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Frequently asked questions

How quickly should I get the roof tarped?

You should arrange for emergency tarping as soon as possible, ideally within hours. Every hour the roof is open increases the risk of rain, wind, or debris causing severe interior water damage. This swift action is crucial for protecting your home and is often a requirement of your insurance policy.

Will my homeowner's insurance cover this?

Most standard homeowner policies cover wind damage that blows off a roof. However, coverage specifics, deductibles, and limits differ. You must report the damage to start a claim. Policies vary, and your insurer decides what is covered. They will send an adjuster to inspect and determine the covered amount.

What if I see mold starting to grow?

Mold can develop within 24 to 48 hours on wet materials. If you see or smell mold, inform your water damage professional immediately. They can assess the situation and recommend next steps, which may involve a separate mold remediation specialist. Do not attempt to clean significant mold growth yourself.

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