Emergency roof repair tools in Dunwoody, GA

Wake up at two a.m. to the thunk of water hitting a mixing bowl? That’s not the dishwasher; it’s a blown-off shingle letting a storm pour straight in. Leave it and insulation soaks like a sponge. Grab a blue tarp, a handful of cap nails, and a caulk gun, and you’ll sleep again before sunrise. Our tight-knit Dunwoody crew keeps those exact items in the truck—always ready to talk you through a safe patch or hop on the roof ourselves—so ceilings stay spotless without 24-hour upcharges or pricey remote drone diagnostic fees.

Emergency roof repair tools in Dunwoody, GA

Why fast action saves thousands after a storm

Storm trouble rarely begins with a tree through the rafters; usually it’s a hail bruise, a loosened ridge vent, or a valley packed with debris. Tackle it early and you’re out one tarp kit and an hour on the ladder; wait a month and you’re budgeting for mold remediation and plywood. The gear below is plain-spoken stuff we haul from Mt Vernon to Tilly Mill. Pair it with steady footing and clear skies, and you’ll bridge the gap without 3 a.m. service premiums.

Secure instant cover

Blue Hawk 10×12 Roof Tarp — When a storm hits and the roof’s compromised, speed matters. This durable 10×12 tarp gives you immediate protection without tearing or flapping in the wind. We use these exact tarps when responding to emergency leak calls—because they’re thick enough to resist hail, heavy rain, and even falling twigs or limbs. Reinforced corners and heavy-duty grommets make it easy to tie down or nail in place. It’s not a permanent solution, but it will absolutely keep water off your decking overnight and give you time to plan a full repair the next day.

Cap nails in bulk

Grip-Rite Plastic Cap Nails — These are our go-to for securing tarps and underlayment. The plastic cap spreads out the pressure so it won’t tear through the tarp material. They drive easily with a hammer and hold strong against gusts, but they also pull out clean when it’s time for real repairs. We always keep a box of these in the truck—no tarp job is complete without them. They’re especially useful when you want to avoid further damage to shingles since they don’t punch ugly holes or leave rust marks behind.

Spray-on leak stopper

Flex Seal MAX Spray — When water is actively dripping and there's no time to rip up shingles, this spray stops the leak in its tracks. It works on wet or damp surfaces, which is critical after a storm. Just shake the can, spray the trouble spot generously, and give it time to cure. It forms a thick rubber seal that flexes with roof movement, sealing cracks, gaps, and even rusty flashing. We use it around vent boots, dormers, and nail pops when we need fast, temporary control over a leak. It’s not fancy—but it keeps water out until the sun returns.

Peel-stick patch tape

EternaBond 12″ RoofSeal Tape — For quick and permanent patch jobs, this wide roll of self-sealing tape is as good as it gets. It bridges holes, cracks, and seams with a sticky seal that lasts through sun, wind, and rain. Once pressed down with a roller, it forms a water-tight bond that even UV rays can’t break down. It’s great for covering splits in valley metal, patching over cracked shingles, or adding extra reinforcement around a temporary tarp edge. No tools, no mess—just peel, stick, press, and you’re covered.

Portable spotlight

DEWALT 20V LED Spotlight — Roofing doesn’t always happen in daylight. Whether you’re patching during an early morning drizzle or checking storm damage after dark, this bright, battery-powered spotlight lights up the whole ridge. It runs on the same batteries as your other DEWALT tools, has multiple brightness levels, and a pivoting head to aim it where you need it. We’ve used this on countless night calls—it saves time, prevents mistakes, and makes dangerous situations a whole lot safer.

Utility knife

OLFA Roofing Utility Knife — Every patch job, tarp trim, or shingle replacement starts with a clean cut. This roofing knife is our favorite because it locks in tight and doesn’t wobble, even under pressure. It uses hook or straight blades for slicing through thick materials like asphalt, plastic tarps, flashing, and underlayment. Blade changes are tool-free, and the grip stays solid even when wet. It’s the kind of tool you don’t think about until you use a bad one—and then you never go back. We’ve carried OLFA knives in our belt pouches for years.

Rope ratchet tie-down

Quick-Tie Roof Rope Ratchet — When high winds are expected, and you need that tarp to stay put, rope ratchets are the cleanest, safest tie-down method around. These allow you to cinch down a tarp over a ridge or around a chimney without knots, clamps, or slack. They hook to gutter brackets, anchor boards, or even lawn stakes and tighten with a simple pull. When you're done, they release fast without a mess. We keep four to six of these on hand for every emergency call. They're reusable, easy to store, and they give us the peace of mind that the tarp isn’t going anywhere overnight.

Safety harness

Roof-Work Safety Harness Kit — No matter how small the job, if you’re on the roof, wear a harness. Period. This kit is what we use daily. It includes everything: a full-body harness, a lanyard with shock absorption, and an anchor point you can screw right into the ridge. It sets up in under 10 minutes, and you’ll barely feel it once it’s on—but if you slip, it could be the only thing between you and a fall. Even quick tarp work or minor leak patching isn’t worth the risk. This setup is affordable, lightweight, and a must-have on any roof over 6 feet.

Locate the leak fast

When water shows up on a ceiling, time is critical—but that doesn’t mean you need to start ripping shingles. Begin in the attic. Turn off the lights and use a flashlight to scan the underside of the roof decking. Look for wet spots, stained wood, rusted nails, or moldy insulation. Follow the moisture trail uphill, since water often travels before it drips through. Many times, you’ll find a tiny beam of daylight coming through a gap—that’s your breach. Outside, grab a pair of binoculars and scan the slope above the leak from the yard. Look for tabs that are lifted, missing granules, cracked shingles, or sagging spots in the roofline. For a closer look without damaging anything, a Telescoping Inspection Mirror lets you peek under tabs and flashing to check for rot or nail pops. It’s cheap, fits in your back pocket, and helps catch small problems before they become big ones.

Tarp setup in minutes

When storms hit hard, and you can’t fix the roof right away, a good tarp setup can save the inside of your home from major damage. You don’t need a big crew—just a helper, a hammer, cap nails, and rope. First, unroll the tarp over the damaged section, starting about 3 feet uphill of the leak and extending it downhill past the ridge if possible. Always go over the ridge to prevent water from sneaking underneath. Use cap nails (plastic washer nails) every 2 feet around the edges, making sure to catch the studs beneath when you can. For extra security, thread ropes or bungee cords through the tarp’s grommets and tie them off to the gutter brackets or anchor them with bricks. You don’t need it perfect—you just need it tight and secure enough to hold off the weather. We’ve used this method many times on Dunwoody homes after windstorms or hail when getting through the night is more important than doing a full repair.

Nail pattern that holds

The biggest mistake we see with emergency tarping is using too few nails or placing them too far apart. If you want your tarp to survive overnight winds—or even hold for a few days—you need a solid nail pattern. Use plastic cap nails only (they don’t rip like standard nails). Drive them through the grommets and along the tarp edge in rows. We recommend three staggered rows across the top half of the tarp and another along each side, with nails spaced no more than 2 feet apart. Make sure you nail into decking or rafters if you can—not just through shingles floating on air. If you don't have enough grommets, double-layer the edge of the tarp where you place nails to prevent tearing. The goal is to keep the tarp from flapping and lifting—because once the wind gets underneath, it’ll rip off and take half your peace of mind with it.

Edge sealing made simple

When roof edges meet siding, walls, or tricky corners, water loves to sneak into joints and cracks—especially during sideways rain. If you need to create a fast, secure seal, we keep it simple: start with RoofSeal tape or any good-quality roof tape with adhesive backing. Lay it over the joint where shingles meet siding or vertical walls. Press it down firmly with a paint roller so it sticks evenly without bubbles. For extra protection, especially in the rainy season, we fog the tape edges with a quick pass of Flex Seal spray. It creates a watertight, rubberized finish that holds up for weeks or longer until proper flashing or re-shingling can be done. This combo method works great around chimney bases, step flashing, dormer cheeks, or anywhere that rain is forcing its way in. No fancy tools needed—just tape, spray, and a little pressure.

Morning-after checklist

After any major storm, it’s a good idea to do a quick visual check around your house as soon as it’s safe. Start with a slow walk around the yard at daylight. Look for torn shingles in the grass, pieces of flashing, or broken gutter parts. Use binoculars to check the roof from the ground—are any tabs flapping? Are the ridge vents still tight? Next, check the valleys. If they’re clogged with wet leaves or branches, carefully brush them clean so water can keep flowing. If you feel comfortable on a ladder, check your tarp or patch to make sure it’s still secure. Tap down any nails that may have come loose and keep an eye out for pooled water that might be soaking through the underlayment. These simple steps take 15-20 minutes and help you catch small problems before they become bigger repairs—and give you peace of mind while you line up a longer-term fix.

Ready to stop the storm in its tracks?

We patch roofs Monday through Saturday—no late-night surcharges, no drone upsells, just neighborly help and the tools to DIY if you’d rather. Call, text, or flag us when our dented silver truck rolls by, and we’ll keep your living room bone-dry before the next thunder boom.

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