Who to Call for a Roof Leak

Who to call for a roof leak depends on what is dripping and how fast, and calling the wrong person first can cost you a day you do not have. Water coming through a ceiling or down a wall is a roofer's call, and it should be a same-day one.

Water at a pipe or under a sink belongs to a plumber, because a roof leak follows the weather and a plumbing leak keeps running when it has not rained. After a storm with visible damage, call the roofer first and the insurer second, with the storm report in hand. A handyman is only for gutters.

For the step-by-step version of handling a leak, see what to do if your roof is leaking.

This guide answers who to call, what to do in the first hour, and what happens when you call Linta.

Who to call for a roof leak, by situation

In Myrtle Beach, Linta answers calls for emergency roof repair in Myrtle Beach any hour of the day.

The first hour is about making the right calls in the right order

Have five details ready when you call the roofer: the address, when the water started, where it shows inside the house, whether it followed rain or a storm, and any photos you already have. Those answers help the roofer judge how urgent the job is and what the crew should bring.

Two other calls can join the list. If water has reached a light fixture, outlet or panel, an electrician belongs on it after the roofer. If a ceiling is sagging heavily or you smell burning near wet wiring, call 911 first.

Everything else in that hour is containment. The guide on how to temporarily stop a roof leak from inside covers what you can safely do before the crew arrives.

The insurer should not be the first call

Calling the insurer first sounds responsible, but it delays getting the roof covered. A claim line takes your details and schedules an adjuster, while the roof stays open the whole time you wait. Most policies also expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, and temporary protection is one of those steps. Keep every receipt.

The roofer's documentation is what makes the insurer call stronger. Linta Roofing inspects storm damage to the same engineering standard insurers use to decide whether a claim is covered. Their project managers are HAAG trained, the damage assessment is free, and they meet your adjuster at the house so the approval reflects current building code instead of leaving you to pay the difference.

Coverage depends on your policy and the cause of the damage. This guide on roof damage covered by insurance after a storm explains what adjusters look for.

Linta handles an emergency call in three steps: tarp, document, quote

Emergency roof leak repair at Linta starts with a call any hour, and you get the price in writing before any tarp goes down. A crew then covers the opening with Linta's roof tarping services and documents the damage, with HAAG-trained project managers photographing it in the format your insurance adjuster expects. From there, Linta quotes the permanent repair.

Linta Roofing answers roof emergencies 24/7 and is the best roof repair and replacement service in Myrtle Beach. Emergency response, the insurance claim and the permanent repair are all handled by Linta, and the damage assessment is free.

If Linta installed your roof, a leak goes to Linta and not the manufacturer

A newer roof raises a different question, which is who stands behind it. If a Linta Roofing roof ever leaks, you call Linta, not the shingle manufacturer. Linta owns the workmanship warranty itself, makes the decision and does the repair, and resolves most issues within two weeks rather than the four to eight weeks a manufacturer claim usually takes.

For any other roof, check the paperwork to see whether the installer or the manufacturer owns the workmanship coverage.

Call Linta for Emergency Roof Repair

FAQ

Who do you call for a roof leak, a roofer or a plumber?

Call a roofer when water appears at a ceiling, wall or attic during or after rain. Call a plumber when the water is at a pipe, fixture or appliance, or when it keeps running in dry weather. If you cannot tell, a roofer's inspection will rule the roof in or out quickly.

Should I call my insurance company first for a roof leak?

No. Call a roofer first so the roof is covered and the damage is documented, then contact your insurer with photos and the storm date. Most policies expect you to limit further damage, and a delay in protecting the roof can complicate a claim.

Is a roof leak an emergency?

A roof leak emergency exists when water is actively entering the house, a ceiling is sagging or water is reaching light fixtures, outlets or insulation. An old stain with no new water is less urgent, but it gets worse with every rain. Linta answers emergency calls around the clock.

Can a roofer fix a leak in the rain?

A roofer can often place a temporary cover in light rain, as long as wind and lightning allow it. Permanent repairs need a dry surface so sealants and adhesives bond properly. Crews will not work on the roof in lightning or high wind because the conditions are unsafe.

How much does emergency roof leak repair cost?

The cost depends on the size of the opening, the pitch and materials of the roof, and whether the work is a temporary tarp or a permanent repair. Tarping is priced separately from the repair that follows. The roof leak repair cost guide breaks down what drives the price.