A big storm rolls through, and once the wind dies down you step outside to shingles in the yard, a branch on the roof, or a wet spot spreading across the ceiling. It’s stressful, and what you do in the next couple of days genuinely matters. The first 48 hours after storm damage are when you protect your family, keep a bad situation from getting worse, and set yourself up for a smooth repair. Here’s the order we’d walk any Indianapolis homeowner through.
Start With Safety, Not the Roof
Before you think about the damage itself, make sure everyone is safe. Stay well away from any downed power lines in the yard or draped over the house, and assume they’re live. If you see sparking, smell gas, or notice the ceiling sagging and holding water, get everyone out and call the utility or 911.
Do not climb onto the roof to look around, especially while it’s still wet or windy. More people get hurt inspecting storm damage than from the storm itself. Anything you need to see up top can wait for someone with the right equipment and training. From the ground, you can safely note obvious things: missing shingles, a dented gutter, debris on the roof, or water coming in inside.
Document the Damage Before You Touch Anything
Once it’s safe, get out your phone and take photos and video of everything, from the ground and from inside. Capture the roof from a few angles, any shingles or debris in the yard, dented gutters or downspouts, and any water stains, drips, or wet insulation inside the house. Note the date and time.
This documentation matters more than people realize. It’s your record of what the storm did before any cleanup or temporary repair changes the scene. If you end up filing an insurance claim, that same set of photos becomes the starting point, and having them from day one makes the whole process easier. You want the evidence captured while it’s fresh.
Prevent Further Damage Where You Safely Can
Insurance and common sense both expect you to take reasonable steps to stop the damage from spreading, and doing so can save you thousands. Inside, move furniture and valuables away from any active leak and put down a bucket or bin to catch water. If the ceiling is bulging with trapped water, a small hole poked at the low point (with a bucket underneath) will drain it and can keep the whole ceiling from collapsing.
Outside is different. Tarping a roof is exactly the kind of job that lands people in the ER, so unless a tarp can be placed safely from the ground, this is where you call a professional. Most reputable roofers in the Indianapolis area, including us, offer emergency tarping to get a compromised roof watertight until a full repair can happen. It’s a small step that prevents a much bigger interior problem while you sort out the rest.
Call a Roofer You Trust, and Start Your Claim
With the immediate risk handled, the next 48 hours are about getting the right people involved. Call a local roofing contractor for an inspection. In central Indiana, spring and summer storms move fast and hit whole neighborhoods at once, so after a significant storm in Greenwood, Franklin, Center Grove, or on the south side of Indianapolis, reputable roofers book up quickly. Getting on the schedule early matters.
A good roofer will get up there safely, document the damage with photos, tell you honestly whether it’s a repair or something bigger, and lay out your options with real numbers. If you’re going to file a claim, call your insurance company to open it and get a claim number, then let your roofer meet the adjuster on-site so the damage gets documented consistently. Be cautious with any out-of-town crew that shows up uninvited right after a storm and pressures you to sign on the spot. A local company that will still be here next year is a safer bet.
We’re Here to Help
If a storm just hit your home, we can help you get from “what do I do” to a watertight roof quickly. We offer emergency roof repair and tarping across the Indianapolis area, including Greenwood, Franklin, Whiteland, Bargersville, Mooresville, and the south side. We’ll inspect the damage, document it thoroughly, give you a straight answer on what it needs, and handle the insurance paperwork with you if it comes to that. Our estimates are free, with no obligation and no pressure. Call or text us at (317) 883-7537, or reach us anytime at simpleroofingllc.com.