Bensalem Quality Roofing provides emergency roof repair in Bensalem, PA and serves surrounding cities including Lower Southampton, Delran, Upper Southampton, Bristol Township and Cinnaminson. After 20+ years of storm calls, we know the first job in an emergency is stopping the water, and the second is making sure the temporary fix does not cause new damage of its own.
Roofing emergencies rarely happen on a calm afternoon. They come with wind that tears shingles loose, branches that punch through the deck, or a leak that suddenly runs down an inside wall. Our crews secure the roof first, then come back to make a permanent repair once the weather allows.
Every emergency visit is photographed and written up. That record helps you understand what happened, and it supports your own insurance claim if the damage came from a storm.
What Counts as a Roofing Emergency
Active Leaks Inside the House
Water coming through a ceiling, running down a wall or dripping from a light fixture is an emergency, because it soaks insulation, drywall and wiring every minute it continues. The goal is to stop the water at the roof as quickly as possible. Even a short delay can turn a roof repair into a ceiling replacement.
Inside, the most important thing is safety. Turn off power to any fixture where water is present, move belongings away, and stay out from under a sagging ceiling. Those steps protect the house until the roof is covered.
Storm-Torn Shingles and Exposed Decking
When wind strips shingles and underlayment off a section of roof, the bare deck is exposed to the next rain. Plywood and board decking soak up water quickly and can swell or delaminate. Covering the exposed area is the first priority.
We secure the area with a temporary cover and check the surrounding shingles, since wind that tore off one section often breaks the seals on the shingles around it. The permanent repair addresses both. A single missing tab can usually wait a day, but a bare deck should not.
Trees and Branches Through the Roof
A fallen tree or large limb can break shingles, puncture the deck and crack rafters. The tree usually has to be removed by a tree service before any roofing work can start. Once it is clear, we cover the opening and inspect the framing underneath.
Structural damage may need framing repairs before the roof is rebuilt. We document every broken rafter and damaged sheet for your records. The roof is then rebuilt with new decking, underlayment and shingles matched as closely as possible.
Temporary Protection Until the Permanent Fix
Tarping a Roof the Right Way
A tarp only works if it is fastened so the wind cannot get under it and if the fastening does not punch new holes where water can enter. We extend the tarp over the ridge where possible and secure it with battens along the edges. A loose tarp flapping in the wind can cause more damage than the original storm.
For smaller openings, a temporary patch of underlayment and shingles may be enough to keep the roof dry. We choose whatever will hold until the permanent repair. Either way, you know it is temporary and what comes next.
What Happens Before We Arrive
When you call, we ask where the water is coming in and how much is getting through. That helps us bring the right materials and judge how urgent the visit is. If someone is in danger, call emergency services first.
While you wait, buckets, towels and plastic sheeting protect floors and furniture. Photos of the interior damage taken now are useful later. Please do not climb onto the roof yourself in wind or rain.
Scheduling the Permanent Repair
Once the roof is secure, we return when the weather is dry to make the permanent repair. That means new shingles, underlayment, flashing or membrane installed the same way we would on a new roof. If the damage is extensive enough that replacement makes more sense, we tell you plainly and show you why.
Emergencies After Bensalem Storms
High Winds and Severe Storms
Bensalem has seen severe wind damage firsthand. On July 29, 2021, an EF-3 tornado surveyed by the National Weather Service crossed Trevose, damaged mobile homes and other buildings, and ended in Bensalem Township Community Park. Storms like that leave many roofs damaged at once, and the first hours are spent securing as many houses as possible.
After widespread storms, we prioritize active leaks and open roofs, then return for the less urgent damage. Every house is photographed as it is secured. That record matters when insurers and adjusters are stretched thin.
Ice Dams in a Hard Freeze
An ice dam can push water under the shingles and into the house in the middle of winter. As an emergency measure, we can open channels in the ice to let water drain from the roof without damaging the shingles. The lasting fix, an ice barrier at the eaves and better attic ventilation, waits for the right weather.
Flooding and Floodplain Properties
Houses near the Neshaminy Creek and Poquessing Creek floodplains can suffer flood damage and roof damage in the same storm. When a building in a regulated floodplain is damaged, the FEMA substantial damage rule can come into play once repair costs reach 50 percent of the building’s value. We document the roof damage clearly so the owner and the township have the information they need.
Insurance After an Emergency Roof Repair
Photos, Receipts and Written Descriptions
Keep every receipt for emergency work and every photo of the damage. Insurers generally expect you to take reasonable steps to prevent further damage, and those records show you did. We provide dated photos and a written description of what we found and what we did.
Meeting the Adjuster on Site
When you ask, we meet the insurance adjuster at the house and walk the roof with them. We point out what we found and explain how the damage happened. The claim itself, and any negotiation over it, stays between you and your insurer.
Repair Versus Replacement After a Storm
Some storm damage is a repair and some leaves the roof beyond saving. We give you a straight answer about which applies to your roof, with photos that show the reasoning. That honest assessment comes before any talk of replacement.
- 20+ Years Experience
- Attic Checked on Every Leak
- Itemized Written Scopes