How roof leaks reach the inside of a DeSoto house
Roofs fail in small ways. A lifted shingle, a cracked flashing, a nail pop or a worn vent boot lets a little water in during each storm. The water runs along the underlayment, drips onto the attic insulation and spreads through the ceiling before any stain shows.
The National Weather Service in Fort Worth says severe weather peaks in spring and that large hail occurs nearly every year in the Metroplex. Hail does not always punch a hole. It can crack shingles and loosen granules, leaving a roof that leaks the next time wind drives rain sideways.
This page covers water that has already entered the house. Fixing the roof is roofing work. Our crews handle the wet attic, ceiling and walls, and the storm water damage cleanup page covers broader storm losses with debris and power outages.
What you see and what it means
| What you see | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Brown ring on the ceiling that grows after rain | Water collecting above the drywall | Place a bucket and note when it grows |
| Sagging or bubbling ceiling paint | Drywall holding water | Keep clear, do not poke it, and call (972) 945-2885 |
| Dripping from a light fixture or fan | Water running along wiring or framing | Turn off the fixture at the switch and keep clear |
| Musty smell in an upstairs room | Wet attic insulation or framing | Call for a moisture check |
| Stains on an upper wall below the roofline | Water running down inside the wall | Photograph the stain and call |
First-hour safety steps for a roof leak
Catch the water
Place buckets under drips and move furniture away from the wet area.
Relieve a bulge carefully
If a ceiling is bulging with water, a small hole can release it into a bucket. Keep your body clear and wear eye protection.
Electrical caution
Do not use fixtures that are dripping. Turn them off at the switch and, if you cannot reach the panel safely, call an electrician.
Photograph and call
Photograph the ceiling, attic and roof from the ground, then call (972) 945-2885. Do not climb a wet roof.
How crews handle a roof leak loss
The crew starts with the ceiling and attic. Wet insulation is removed, since it holds water against the framing for days. A moisture meter and a thermal imaging camera show how far the water spread across the ceiling plane and into the top plates of the walls.
Soft or stained drywall is cut out in sections to let the cavity dry. Dry ceiling drywall may stay. Air movers and dehumidifiers go in the rooms below, and sometimes into the attic. The ANSI/IICRC S500 standard is the reference for drying, and readings are logged until the materials meet the dry standard.
Temporary protection is important. If the roof is still open, a roofing contractor tarps it first, because drying a house under an open roof does not work. Once the roof is sealed, the drying and cleanup can finish. Rebuilding ceilings and paint is covered on the water damage repair page.
Ceiling wet after a storm?
Place a bucket, keep clear of the stain and call. A dispatcher is on the line day and night.
What changes the cost of roof leak cleanup
- How long it leaked. A leak over several storms soaks more insulation and framing than a single event
- Ceiling type. Smooth drywall, textured ceilings and acoustic tiles are removed differently
- Attic access. A tight attic takes longer to clear and dry
- Insulation. Blown insulation spreads more widely when wet
- Rooms affected. Water often travels into upper walls and the rooms below
- Mold. Wet materials that sat for days may need separate mold work
Insurance and roof leaks
According to the Texas Department of Insurance, a sudden and accidental release of water is a common covered risk, and continuous leaks are typically not. A storm that opens the roof is usually the sudden kind. A roof that has dripped for months through worn flashing is treated differently.
Photograph the roof, ceiling and attic before cleanup. Make only temporary repairs until the adjuster has seen the damage, which is the advice of the Texas Department of Insurance. Keep receipts for tarping and emergency work. Roof replacement permits are handled by the city, and DeSoto Building Inspections at 972-230-9610 can tell you what applies.
Mistakes to avoid with a roof leak
- Painting over the stain. The stain returns and the wet drywall underneath is still wet
- Ignoring the attic. The ceiling is only the visible part of the loss
- Climbing on a wet roof. Slick shingles and ladders cause injuries
- Waiting for the next storm. Each rain adds water to materials that never dried
- Skipping the photographs. Dated pictures help the claim
Where we respond for roof leaks
Crews work across DeSoto and reach Cedar Hill and Lancaster after storms. For a leak that came through the air handler instead of the roof, see AC leak water damage repair. For the drying equipment used, see structural drying and dehumidification.
Is emergency roof leak water damage cleanup available in DeSoto?
Yes. Storm calls are answered around the clock. Dial (972) 945-2885, describe where the water is entering, and a dispatcher lines up a crew for the inside of the house.
We handle the water inside the home. A roofing contractor handles the roof itself, and many callers arrange both at once.
Should I fix the roof before cleaning up?
The roof should be covered or tarped first so more water does not enter. Then the wet attic and ceiling can be dried.
Cleanup under an open roof does not hold, because new rain undoes the drying.
Can wet attic insulation stay?
Usually not. Wet insulation holds water against the framing and can mat down and lose its value.
The crew removes it and checks the framing with a moisture meter.
Is a roof leak covered by insurance?
Often when storm damage opened the roof and water entered suddenly. A slow leak from wear is typically treated differently.
Photograph first, then read your policy and ask your insurer.
How do I know if mold is growing?
A musty smell, dark spots or soft drywall after a leak suggest moisture is still present.
Mold work follows its own rules in Texas, and the mold remediation page explains them.