Terra Nova Roofing & ConstructionEmergency Roof Repair in NJ: What to Do in the First Hour
Water coming through the ceiling, shingles in the yard, or a branch through the roof? Here's what to do in the first hour, what a tarp or temporary dry-in actually does, what emergency roof repair costs, and how Terra Nova Roofing & Construction gets your roof sealed and then fixed properly.
Licensed & insured • NJ Lic. #13VH13824700 • Locally owned in Garfield, NJ • Exact price before any work • Hablamos español
Text photos of the ceiling and the roof (from the ground) to 973-200-1617 — se habla español.
- ✓ Same-day appointments often available
- ✓ Licensed & insured in NJ
- ✓ Homes & businesses
- ✓ English & Español
How does emergency roof repair work in NJ?
Emergency roof repair in NJ means stopping water from getting into the house first — with a tarp or temporary dry-in over the damaged area — and then making the permanent repair once the roof is dry and the damage is fully visible. At Terra Nova Roofing & Construction, emergency roof leak service starts from $1,500, roof leak repair from $650 and standard roof repair from $950, with the exact price before any work. We serve Passaic, Bergen, Morris, Essex, Hudson and Union County from Garfield, are licensed & insured (NJ Lic. #13VH13824700) and usually reply the same business day. Call or text 973-200-1617.
Roof emergency? What to do in the first hour
Most of the damage from a roof emergency happens inside the house, after the roof opens up. The first hour is about keeping people safe and limiting water damage — not about getting on the roof.
| When | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| First 5 minutes | Keep everyone out from under a sagging or bulging ceiling. Stay away from wet light fixtures and outlets. | A ceiling holding water can come down suddenly, and water and wiring don't mix. |
| Next 10 minutes | Move furniture, electronics and rugs. Put buckets and towels under the drips. | Contents are often the most expensive part of a leak. |
| Next 15 minutes | If a ceiling is bulging, a small hole at the lowest point over a bucket lets the water drain in one place — only if you can do it safely. | It can stop the water from spreading across the whole ceiling. |
| Next 15 minutes | Take photos and short videos: the ceiling, the attic if it's safe, and the roof from the ground. | Photos help us plan the repair and help any insurance claim. |
| Within the hour | Call or text 973-200-1617 with the photos and your address. | The sooner the roof is covered, the less water gets in. |
Please don't climb onto a wet, icy or storm-damaged roof. A fall is far worse than a leak. More on protecting the inside of the house: how to protect your home during a roof leak and the emergency leak checklist.
Is it a roof emergency, or can it wait a few days?
Not every roof problem needs an emergency visit. Here's how we'd sort it if you called us:
| What you're seeing | Treat it as | What usually happens |
|---|---|---|
| Water actively dripping or running inside | Emergency | Temporary dry-in or tarp, then the permanent repair |
| A tree or large limb on the roof | Emergency | Make the area safe and covered; structural damage is assessed before any repair |
| A section of shingles or flat-roof membrane blown off, rain coming | Emergency | Cover the exposed area before the next rain |
| Ice dam with water coming in at the ceiling or walls | Emergency | Stop the water where we can, then fix the cause later. See ice dam help |
| A few shingles missing, no water inside | Soon | Book a repair before the next storm |
| An old dry stain that hasn't grown | Not an emergency | A regular leak inspection and repair |
Roof tarping vs. temporary dry-in: what's the difference?
Both are temporary. Neither one is the repair. The goal is to keep water out until the roof can be fixed properly.
- Roof tarp: a heavy tarp laid over the damaged area, extended past the ridge or high point and fastened with boards so the wind can't get under it. It's the fastest way to cover a large opening, such as after tree damage or a big blow-off. See emergency roof tarping.
- Temporary dry-in: when the damage is smaller, it can be faster and tighter to seal the spot directly — for example, laying underlayment or membrane over exposed decking, sealing a torn flashing or a lifted flat-roof seam until it can be repaired correctly.
- Board-up: when there's an actual hole in the deck, it may need to be covered with wood first and then tarped. See emergency roof board-up.
A tarp is not meant to stay up all season. Sun and wind wear it out, and fasteners left in the roof can create new leaks. Plan the permanent repair as soon as the roof is dry.
What happens when you call us for emergency roof repair
Tell us what you see
Where the water is, how fast it's coming in, the type of roof and your address. Photos help a lot.
Cover the roof
We protect the damaged area with a temporary dry-in, tarp or board-up so the house stops taking on water.
Document everything
Photos and measurements of the damage, inside and out — useful for you, for us and for an insurance claim.
Exact price first
A free written estimate with photos for the permanent repair or replacement, with the exact price before any work.
We usually reply the same business day. If you reach voicemail, text the photos and address to 973-200-1617 so we have them when we call back.
Emergency roof repair prices in NJ
These are our starting prices. You get the exact price in writing before any work:
| Service | Starting price | What it usually covers |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency roof leak service | From $1,500 | Active leak, temporary dry-in or tarping to stop the water |
| Standard roof repair | From $950 | Larger shingle, flashing or flat-roof repairs once the roof is dry |
| Roof leak repair | From $650 | A smaller permanent fix, such as a pipe boot or a few shingles |
| Rotted decking / hidden damage | Extra | Soft or broken wood found once the damaged area is opened up |
What changes the price: how big the damaged area is, roof height and pitch, access, the roof type, and what's found under the surface. More: emergency roof repair cost and what drives the cost.
Emergency repairs on flat roofs, multi-family and commercial buildings
Flat and low-slope roofs fail differently from shingle roofs. A split seam, a clogged drain or a torn flashing at a parapet wall can let a lot of water in fast, and on a multi-family building it usually shows up in the top-floor unit first.
- Ponding and clogged drains: water that can't drain finds the weakest seam. Clearing the drain or scupper is often the first step. See flat roof drain repair.
- Blown or lifted membrane: wind gets under an edge and peels it back. The exposed area is sealed temporarily, then repaired.
- Parapets, hatches and rooftop equipment: common leak points on apartment and commercial roofs. See parapet leak repair.
- Tenants and access: we can coordinate with the owner, manager or super, and you get photos of what we found and what we did.
More: flat roof leak repair, multi-family roofs and commercial roofing.
Emergency roof repair and your insurance claim
If the emergency came from a storm, wind, hail or a fallen tree, your homeowners policy may cover part of it. Whether it does depends on the cause and your policy — the insurer decides coverage, and no contractor can promise a result.
What we can do:
- Document the damage with photos and measurements before and after the temporary repair.
- Give you a written estimate for the permanent repair or replacement.
- Help with the paperwork and meet the adjuster at the property if you'd like.
Most policies expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent more damage, which is exactly what a tarp or dry-in is for. Keep receipts. More: emergency repair before the adjuster comes, roof insurance claim checklist and does insurance cover roof leaks?
After the emergency: repair or replace?
Once the roof is covered and dry, we inspect the whole roof — not just the damaged spot — and tell you honestly which makes sense:
- Repair when the damage is limited and the rest of the roof is in decent shape: new shingles, flashing, a pipe boot, a flat-roof patch or seam repair, and any rotted decking replaced.
- Replacement when the roof is old, has failed in several places, or the storm damage is widespread. We do a full tear-off to the deck, wood repairs, underlayment, ice & water barrier, flashing and ventilation, to manufacturer specs. Most residential roof replacements take 1–3 days, and financing is available for larger projects.
Compare: storm damage: repair vs. replacement and residential roof replacement.
Emergency roof repair across North Jersey
We respond across Passaic, Bergen, Morris, Essex, Hudson and Union County. Local pages:
What homeowners say about us
★★★★★ 5-star rated on Google
Get Emergency Roof Help
Tell us what's happening and send photos if you can. We'll cover the roof, document the damage and give you the exact price for the permanent repair in writing.
Why homeowners and owners call us
- Water coming through the ceiling right now
- Shingles or flat-roof membrane blown off
- A tree or limb on the roof
- A top-floor leak in a multi-family building
- Help documenting storm damage for insurance
Request your free estimate
Fill this out and a member of our team will follow up within one business day.
✓ No-obligation quote · ✓ Licensed & insured · ✓ Your info is never shared
Emergency Roof Repair Questions
How much does emergency roof repair cost in NJ?
Emergency roof leak service starts from $1,500 and covers stopping an active leak with a temporary dry-in or tarp. Permanent repairs start from $650 for leak repair and $950 for standard repair. Rotted decking or hidden damage is extra. You get the exact price before any work.
How fast can you respond to a roof emergency?
We usually reply the same business day. Call or text 973-200-1617, and send photos and your address so we can plan as soon as we get back to you.
What should I do first if my roof is leaking?
Keep people away from a sagging ceiling and wet fixtures, move valuables, catch the water, take photos and call or text us. Don't go on the roof.
Should I put a tarp on my roof myself?
We don't recommend it. Wet, steep or storm-damaged roofs are dangerous, and a tarp that isn't fastened properly can blow off or trap water.
How long can a tarp stay on a roof?
It's a short-term fix. Sun and wind wear tarps out, so plan the permanent repair as soon as the roof is dry.
Is a temporary dry-in the same as a repair?
No. A dry-in stops water from coming in. The permanent repair replaces what's damaged — shingles, flashing, membrane or decking.
Do you handle emergency leaks on flat roofs?
Yes. We repair flat and low-slope roofs on homes, multi-family and commercial buildings, including seams, drains and parapet walls.
Will insurance pay for emergency roof repair?
It depends on the cause and your policy; the insurer decides. We document damage with photos and measurements, help with paperwork and can meet the adjuster.
Can a fallen tree damage the roof framing?
Yes. A heavy limb can crack rafters or decking. The area is made safe and covered first, then the structure is checked before repairs.
Which areas do you cover for roof emergencies?
Passaic, Bergen, Morris, Essex, Hudson and Union County, from our base in Garfield, NJ.
¿Hablan español?
Sí, hablamos español. Llame o mande texto al 973-200-1617 con fotos del techo y del daño.
Updated November 2026 by the Terra Nova Roofing & Construction team, Garfield, NJ • NJ Lic. #13VH13824700