Lower Merion Elite Roofing has provided emergency roof repair in Lower Merion, PA for more than 20 years, serving surrounding cities including Plymouth Township, Milford Township, Yeadon, Richland Township and West Norriton. When a storm tears off shingles, a limb comes through the roof or water suddenly starts pouring in, we stop the water first and plan the permanent repair second.
An emergency call is about controlling damage. We secure the roof with a tarp or temporary patch, check the attic to see where the water has traveled, and photograph everything before it is covered so you have a clear record for your insurer.
Once the roof is secure, we come back with a written estimate for the permanent repair, with each item listed separately. We will tell you honestly whether the damage can be repaired or whether the roof was already near the end of its life.
What Counts as a Roofing Emergency
Storm and Wind Damage
High winds can strip shingles, lift ridge caps, peel back flashing and break slates, leaving the underlayment or decking exposed. Once the next rain arrives, water goes straight in. A section of exposed roof after a storm should be covered the same day if conditions allow it.
Fallen Trees and Limbs
Large, mature trees are common on lots across Lower Merion and the Main Line, and a limb coming down in a storm can puncture decking or crack rafters. We work with tree services when a large limb needs removing, then cover the opening and check the framing before any permanent repair is planned.
Sudden Interior Leaks
A ceiling that is suddenly dripping or bulging with water needs fast attention, whatever the cause. Water spreading through insulation and drywall can damage much more than the roof. We find where the water is entering and stop it while the source is still easy to trace.
How We Handle an Emergency Call
Making the Site Safe
We check for hazards first, including damaged power lines, unstable limbs and weakened framing. Our crews use fall protection on every roof, as OSHA requires, and if conditions are too dangerous we will help you manage the water inside until it is safe to go up.
Tarping and Temporary Patches
A proper emergency tarp is secured with battens fastened through to solid framing and extended over the ridge, so wind cannot get underneath it. For smaller openings, we may use a temporary sheet-metal or membrane patch. Either way, the goal is a cover that keeps water out until the permanent repair is made.
Checking the Attic and Interior
After the roof is covered, we look in the attic for wet insulation, soaked decking and damaged rafters, and we point out ceilings that may need to be opened up to dry. Catching hidden wet materials early helps prevent mold and further damage.
Documenting Damage for Your Insurer
Photographs Before and After
We photograph the damage on the roof and in the attic before covering it, along with the temporary repair once it is in place. Those photographs are dated and handed to you for your own claim.
A Written Damage Report
Our written report describes what was damaged, what caused it as far as we can tell, and what the permanent repair involves. It separates storm damage from existing wear, which is often the key question in a claim.
Meeting the Adjuster
If you ask, we will meet your insurance adjuster on the roof to point out what we found. We do not negotiate your claim or interpret your policy for you; in Pennsylvania that is up to you, your attorney or a licensed public adjuster.
Emergencies on Particular Roofs
Slate Roofs After a Storm
A limb or a gust can crack and dislodge slates, and a slate roof is easily damaged further by anyone walking on it to inspect. We work from roof ladders and hooks, cover the opening without breaking the slates around it, and save sound pieces for the permanent repair so the patch matches the rest of the roof.
Flat Roofs and Additions
A flat roof over an addition can tear open when a branch lands on it or when wind gets under a loose edge. Because water does not run off a flat roof quickly, a tear can pour into the room below. We seal it temporarily with membrane or a weighted cover and check the wall flashing where the addition meets the house.
Roofs With Solar Panels
When a storm damages a roof under solar panels, the panels may have to come off before a permanent repair can be made. We secure what we can around the array and coordinate with your solar installer for removal and reinstallation, rather than working blindly underneath the panels.
Twins and Rowhouses
On attached houses, damage on one roof can let water into the house next door. We look at both sides of the party wall, cover the opening on your side, and give you photographs you can share with your neighbor so both roofs get attention.
From Temporary Fix to Permanent Repair
Scheduling the Permanent Repair
Once the adjuster has seen the damage and you have approved the estimate, we schedule the permanent repair as soon as materials are available. Tarps wear out in sun and wind, so we do not leave one on longer than necessary.
Matching Materials
We match shingles as closely as current products allow, replace slates with matching slate fastened with copper nails or slate hooks, and repair copper or metal with compatible material. Where an exact match is impossible, we explain the options before starting.
When the Roof Needs Replacing
If the storm damage is widespread, or the roof was already worn, a replacement may make more sense than a large repair. In that case, the replacement is scoped against your municipality’s permit rules, including Lower Merion’s two-layer limit, so the insurance scope and the actual job line up.
- 20+ Years Roofing
- Itemized Written Scopes
- Slate Repair Specialists