Roof Leak Water Damage After a Storm

The Quick Answer

Summer thunderstorms and tropical systems bring heavy, wind-driven rain to Naples. Even a small roof leak can soak attic insulation and ceilings below.

Signs of a Roof Leak

• New ceiling stains after rain
• Damp or compressed attic insulation
• Dripping around light fixtures or vents
• Missing or lifted tiles and shingles

Temporary Steps

Place buckets, move belongings and turn off power to wet fixtures. A roofer can tarp the roof. Do not climb onto a wet roof.

Drying the Attic and Ceiling

Wet insulation loses value and can hold moisture against drywall. See ceiling water damage restoration and structural drying. For storm surge, see flood water damage restoration.

Tile, Shingle and Flat Roofs

Naples homes have a mix of concrete tile, shingle, metal and flat roofs. Tile roofs depend on an underlayment beneath the tiles, so a cracked tile may not leak right away, but an aging underlayment can let water through during heavy rain. Flat roofs on condos and commercial buildings can pond water, which finds its way through seams and penetrations.

Inside, water from a roof leak usually shows first as a stain or drip, but by then insulation and framing may already be wet. Drying the attic space and the ceiling cavity is just as important as fixing the roof. See water damage repair for what happens after drying.