What counts as a roof emergency
- Water coming in near electrical panels, lights, servers or machinery.
- Water over inventory, records or equipment you cannot move.
- Ceilings sagging or tiles falling from the weight of water.
- Membrane torn, lifted or peeled back by wind.
- Edge metal or copings hanging loose after a storm.
- A tree, sign or other debris on the roof.
A slow drip into a bucket in an empty storage room can usually wait until morning. If you are not sure, call and ask.
What to do while help is on the way
- Safety first. Keep people out of wet areas and away from electricity. If water is near electrical equipment, have an electrician or your facility team shut power to that area if it is safe to do so.
- Contain the water. Buckets, tarps and plastic sheeting over equipment and shelving.
- Move what you can out from under the leak.
- Document it. Take photos and video of the water and damage, with the time.
- Stay off the roof. Wet membranes are slippery, and wind and lightning make storms deadly. Do not go up until it is safe and a roofer says so.
Temporary dry-in vs permanent repair
In an emergency, the first goal is to stop the water. A temporary dry-in can mean sealing an opening, covering a damaged area or securing loose membrane and metal until the weather allows a proper fix. Once the roof is dry and safe, we come back to find the real source and make a permanent repair, and check whether water reached the insulation.
After the emergency
Keep all photos, receipts and notes. If the damage came from a storm, contact your insurance company and see our storm damage claim guide. Ask for a full roof inspection, because one storm opening often means there are others you have not seen yet. This guide is not insurance or legal advice.
Calling it in: what helps us help you faster
- The building address and where on the property the leak or damage is.
- What is under the leak: electrical, inventory, offices, machinery.
- How bad it is: a drip, a steady stream, a sagging ceiling, or visible roof damage.
- The type of roof if you know it: flat single-ply, metal, coated or other.
- How to get roof access: hatch, ladder, lift needs, and who has keys.
- A name and phone number for someone on site.
Common emergency causes on the Coastal Bend
Tropical storms and hurricanes that lift edges, tear membrane and drive rain into laps and walls. Sudden downpours that overwhelm clogged drains and back water up under flashings. Wind damage from strong fronts and thunderstorms, even outside hurricane season. Fallen debris such as tree limbs, signs or rooftop equipment. Failed repairs that let go all at once in heavy rain. Many of these can be prevented with regular inspections and maintenance, which is the best way to avoid the night call in the first place. See our maintenance plan guide.
Why the permanent repair matters
A temporary dry-in is meant to buy time, not to last. Tarps and quick seals can blow off or fail in the next storm. Once the weather clears, the roof needs a proper repair with matching materials, and the area around it needs to be checked for wet insulation that could keep damaging the roof from below.
After an emergency repair, schedule a full inspection once things settle. One storm rarely does damage in just one place, and finding the rest early keeps the next rain from becoming the next emergency.
The 24/7 line is answered day or night
Nelson Roof Contracting's 24/7 line, (361) 320-3131, is answered any time. During office hours, Monday through Saturday 8am to 5pm, you can also reach us at (361) 683-1733. We serve Corpus Christi, Calallen, Robstown, Portland, Ingleside, Aransas Pass, Port Aransas, Rockport, Sinton, Odem, Kingsville and Alice, with over 50 years of hands-on experience and every job supervised.
Meet the owners
Nelson Roof Contracting is owned by Nelson and Esperanza Alvarado. Nelson brings over 50 years of hands-on roofing experience to Corpus Christi and the Coastal Bend, and every job is supervised. When you call, you are calling a family business that has been on these roofs for decades.
Office (361) 683-1733
24/7 line (361) 320-3131
Updated October 2026 by Nelson Roof Contracting, Corpus Christi, TX.