Storms in the Twin Cities aren’t just a seasonal annoyance—they’re a real threat to your home. Whether it’s a summer thunderstorm tearing through St. Paul or heavy snow melting on a Minneapolis rooftop in late March, roof leaks can happen fast. And when they do, you don’t always have time to wait for a roofing crew to arrive.
We get it—when rain’s coming through your ceiling or water’s pooling in your attic, you need a quick, temporary fix to buy you time.
That’s what this guide is for. Here are four simple ways to control storm leaks until help shows up at your Twin Cities home.
Key Takeaways
- Roof leaks are common during Twin Cities storms and can quickly damage walls, ceilings, and flooring if not contained.
- Water from small leaks can be slowed using roofing tape or putty until a professional can make repairs.
- Large leaks can be temporarily covered with a tarp or plastic sheet from inside the house to stop rain.
- Regular gutter cleaning prevents backup leaks that often cause water damage in older Twin Cities homes after heavy storms.
1. Contain Water Fast to Minimize Damage
If water starts coming through your ceiling during a storm, the first priority is damage control.
That means protecting your flooring, walls, and furniture—especially in older homes like the ones in Mac-Groveland or the Como Park area.
Here’s what you can do right away:
- Move furniture and electronics out of the leak zone.
- Lay down towels, rugs, or old blankets to absorb water.
- Catch water in buckets or large containers.
- Use plastic sheeting or trash bags under the buckets to protect flooring.
- Redirect dripping water using a hose or tubing (like from a sump pump) if you need to move it to a safer area.
This quick containment helps prevent mold and rot, which can show up fast in our humid summer months and even faster in tight attic spaces.
2. Temporarily Plug Small Leaks with Roofing Tape or Putty
If you’ve got a manageable drip coming from the ceiling—maybe in your attic above a bedroom or near a vent—you might be able to seal it up temporarily.
Just remember: this is a short-term fix, not a permanent roof repair.
Here’s how to do it safely:
- Locate the leak from inside your home—usually in the attic or crawl space.
- Dry the area as best you can with towels or rags.
- Apply roofing tape, putty, or caulking directly over the leak.
- Avoid using too much—you want to stop the water, not trap it inside the structure.
We see this kind of thing often in homes near Lake Nokomis or the Highland Park area where older roofs are more vulnerable to wind uplift.
Just be cautious—plugging a leak without venting can cause more water to collect and spread damage.
3. Use a Tarp to Block Major Leaks
If part of your roof has been damaged—say from hail or wind gusts over 60 mph like we saw in Eagan last spring—you may need to tarp it until a roofer can make repairs. Tarps can’t fix the problem, but they can stop water from getting inside and causing further damage.
Important: Never go on the roof during a storm. All these steps should be done from inside your home.
Here’s how to temporarily cover a big leak:
- Use a large tarp or heavy-duty plastic sheeting.
- Anchor it inside your attic, skylight opening, or window frame.
- Secure it with bricks, duct tape, or heavy weights.
- Avoid using nails or staples, which can worsen damage or interfere with insurance claims.
In neighborhoods like Nokomis East and St. Anthony Park—where many homes have older asphalt shingles—this step can help stop serious leaks until your roofer can safely get up there.
4. Check and Clear Gutters to Prevent Overflow Leaks
You’d be surprised how many “roof leaks” actually come from clogged gutters.
When gutters fill with leaves, pine needles, or shingle grit (common after storms), rainwater overflows and backs up under your roofline—especially in low-slope roof areas like those in Powderhorn or Summit Hill.
If the storm has passed and it’s safe:
- Clear out any visible clogs from ground-level downspouts using a flexible rod or plumber’s snake.
- Use a hose to flush out gutters once the weather’s calm.
- Set up buckets or towels indoors to catch any resulting leaks you can’t stop from the outside.
Long-term, gutter guards and professional cleanings before storm season can save you thousands in potential water damage.
Don’t Wait for the Next Leak—Protect Your Home Now
Storms move fast in Minnesota. One minute it’s calm, the next you’ve got 50 mph winds and sideways rain flooding your ceiling. Temporary fixes like buckets and tarps can help in a pinch, but they’re no substitute for professional repairs.
At Krech Exteriors, we’ve spent over 36 years helping homeowners in the Twin Cities—from Maplewood to Minnetonka—handle roof leaks, storm damage, and emergency repairs. We understand how fast things can go wrong and how important it is to get them fixed right the first time.
Let us inspect your roof, repair the damage, and storm-proof it for the future—whether that means replacing missing shingles, resealing flashings, or installing better gutter systems.
Call us today at (651) 349-6815 to get peace of mind before the next storm hits.
