Macomb County, MI · Ceiling leaks, roof leaks, ice dams · 24/7
Ceiling and Roof Leak Water Damage in Macomb County, MI
Water coming through the ceiling? We find where it went with a thermal camera, get the wet insulation and drywall out, and dry it before mold starts. 45 minute response, day or night.
Call now (586) 333-3156→- Storm and wind damage
- Ice dam leaks
- Wet attic insulation
- Insurance photos and readings
Read Your Ceiling: How Urgent Is It?
Call now: sagging or bulging
The drywall is holding water and can fall. Clear the room, turn off that ceiling's lights at the breaker, and put a bucket under the low point.
Call now: water at a light or fan
Water has reached an electrical box. Shut the circuit off at the panel and do not use the fixture.
Today: a stain that grows or bubbles
Water is still getting in, or it is trapped between the paint and the drywall. The insulation above is likely wet too.
This week: a dry, old ring
The leak may have stopped. Mark the edge with a pencil and look again after the next heavy rain. If it spreads past the mark, it is active.
Ice Dams: The Winter Leak in Macomb County
NOAA logged 25 heavy snow, winter storm and ice storm reports in Macomb County from 2010 to 2025. Ice dams are the most common winter cause of ceiling stains along outside walls.
Heat from the house melts snow on the upper roof. The water runs down and refreezes at the cold eaves. The ice ridge backs melt water under the shingles, and it comes through at the top of an outside wall or in a closet ceiling.
Michigan's residential code requires an ice barrier under asphalt shingles. The barrier must reach from the roof edge to a point at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line. On roofs steeper than 8:12, the barrier must also extend at least 36 inches up the slope from the eave. This rule exists because ice dams force meltwater back under shingles.
Michigan Residential Code 2015, Section R905.1.2, via UpCodesMichigan's residential code sets attic ventilation at a minimum net free area of 1/150 of the vented space, or 1/300 when 40 to 50 percent of that ventilation sits in the upper attic within 3 feet of the ridge. Insulation may not block the airflow at eave or cornice vents.
Michigan Residential Code, Sections R806.2 and R806.3, cited in Macomb Township Residential Re-Roof Permit Requirements
Macomb County Storm Record: Wind, Hail and Ice
From 2010 to 2025, NOAA logged 236 damaging wind reports in Macomb County. The largest hail was 2.25 inches, and the strongest gust was about 75 mph. These are the most recent roof-damaging storms:
| Date | Place | Event | Size | What NOAA logged | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-18 | Utica | Thunderstorm Wind | 68 mph gust | record | |
| 2026-05-18 | Utica Arpt | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph gust | record | |
| 2026-04-15 | Muttonville | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph gust | record | |
| 2026-03-13 | High Wind | 60 mph gust | record | ||
| 2026-01-09 | High Wind | 59 mph gust | record | ||
| 2025-06-18 | Fraser | Tornado | EF0 | record | |
| 2024-08-27 | Roseville | Thunderstorm Wind | 75 mph gust | record | |
| 2024-05-20 | Armada | Hail | 1.50 in hail | record | |
| 2024-04-17 | Washington | Thunderstorm Wind | 69 mph gust | record | |
| 2023-08-24 | Mt Clemens | Thunderstorm Wind | 70 mph gust | record | |
| 2023-07-20 | Roseville | Hail | 1.50 in hail | record | |
| 2023-07-20 | Mt Clemens | Hail | 1.75 in hail | record |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, read 2026-10-02.
A winter storm on February 22, 2023 brought a wintry mix across southeast Michigan. Macomb County saw ice accumulations of a quarter to half inch and logged $6 million in storm damage.
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, 2023 details fileA severe thunderstorm on August 24, 2023 brought an estimated 61-knot wind gust to Macomb County. Trees and power lines came down across the county, concentrated in and around Clinton Township, affecting about 450 homes, with 43 homes and businesses suffering major damage.
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, 2023 details fileA thunderstorm on April 5, 2023 hit Macomb County with an estimated 56-knot gust. At Sterling Estates mobile home park most of the damage was roof and shingle damage, and one home had its roof and awning ripped off completely.
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, 2023 details fileStorm Reports by Town
| Town | Wind, hail and winter reports | Largest hail and gust |
|---|---|---|
| Roseville | 22 | 1.5 in hail, gusts near 75 mph |
| Shelby Township | 21 | 1.0 in hail, gusts near 64 mph |
| Sterling Heights | 15 | 2.25 in hail, gusts near 64 mph |
| Fraser | 9 | gusts near 64 mph |
| Warren | 5 | 1.75 in hail, gusts near 62 mph |
| Macomb Township | 3 | 1.0 in hail |
Town Notes: Roof and Storm Damage in Macomb County
Sterling Heights
The median Sterling Heights home was built in 1977, and 8% of homes were built before 1960. US Census ACS 2024 1-year estimate, Table B25035 / ACS 2020-2024 5-year, Table B25034, via Census Reporter
A thunderstorm on September 14, 2021 brought a 55-knot gust that knocked down trees and wires in Sterling Heights. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, 2021 details file
Warren
The median Warren home was built in 1964, and 32% of homes were built before 1960, the oldest housing stock of the Macomb County cities and townships checked here. US Census ACS 2024 1-year estimate, Table B25035 / ACS 2020-2024 5-year, Table B25034, via Census Reporter
Warren's Building Division requires separate permit applications for building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work, filed online or through its office at One City Square, Suite 305. City of Warren, Building Permit
Fraser
The median Fraser home was built in 1972. 25% of homes were built before 1960, and 44.2% (3,039 of 6,870 units) were built before 1970. US Census ACS 2024 5-year estimate, Table B25034/B25035, via Census Reporter
Fraser takes building, electrical, plumbing and mechanical permit applications through its BS&A Online portal, linked from the city's homepage, or by calling City Hall at 586-293-3100. City of Fraser
Roseville
47% of Roseville homes were built before 1960, the highest pre-1960 share recorded among the Macomb County cities and townships checked here. U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year, Table B25034, via Census Reporter
Roseville's Building Department, at 586-445-5450, employs a dedicated Plumbing and Mechanical Inspector separate from the general building inspector, so plumbing repair work after a leak gets its own inspection sign-off. City of Roseville, Building Department
Macomb Township
4% of Macomb Township homes were built before 1960, the newest housing stock recorded among the Macomb County cities and townships checked here. U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024 5-year, Table B25034, via Census Reporter
Macomb Township's Building Department posts a dedicated Residential Re-Roof Permit Requirements sheet, which walks through the Michigan Residential Code sections a re-roof must meet: roof deck support, when tear-off is required, ice barrier placement, underlayment weight, drip edge, sidewall flashing, and attic ventilation. Macomb Township Building Department, Residential Re-Roof Permit Requirements
Shelby Township
9.2% of Shelby Township homes (3,315 of 35,996 units) were built before 1960. US Census ACS 2024 1-year, Table B25034, via Census Reporter
A thunderstorm on June 19, 2024 brought a 56-knot gust that knocked down several trees and power lines around Shelby Township. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, 2024 details file
Two Calls, in This Order
Cover the opening
A roofer or an emergency tarp stops new water. Nothing inside dries while rain still gets in.
Get the water out of the house
A restoration crew finds the wet area with a thermal camera and moisture meter, removes soaked insulation and drywall, and dries the framing.
Repair last
New drywall goes up only after the readings show dry wood. Painting over a damp ceiling brings the stain back.
Will Insurance Cover It?
A standard Michigan homeowners policy, whether Broad (HO-2) or All Risk (HO-3), lists windstorm and hail as covered perils for the dwelling, which covers most roof damage from a storm.
Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, Your Guide to Homeowners InsuranceIf a homeowner disagrees with how an insurer handled a storm or roof claim, Michigan's DIFS asks the homeowner to first try to resolve it with the company, in writing, with dates and amounts, before filing a complaint with DIFS at 877-999-6442 or DIFSInfo@michigan.gov.
Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, Your Guide to Homeowners InsuranceWhat helps a claim: photos of the ceiling and the roof from the ground, the date of the storm, daily moisture readings, and a list of what was removed and why.
How Old Are the Roofs Here?
Houses in Macomb County towns were built in these median years. Older homes often carry second-layer shingles and thin attic insulation, both linked to ice dams.
| Town | Median year built |
|---|---|
| Fraser | 1961 |
| Roseville | 1961 |
| Warren | 1965 |
| Sterling Heights | 1977 |
| Shelby Township | 1989 |
| Macomb Township | 2000 |
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year (B25035), via Census Reporter.
Ceiling and Roof Leak Questions
Water is leaking from my ceiling. What do I do right now?
Turn off the lights and ceiling fan on that ceiling at the switch or the breaker. Put a bucket under the drip. If the ceiling bulges, poke a small hole at the lowest point over the bucket to let the water out in one place, and keep people out from under it. Then call.
Will home insurance cover a roof leak?
Usually when a storm caused it. A standard Michigan HO-2 or HO-3 policy lists windstorm and hail as covered perils. Leaks from worn-out shingles or poor upkeep are usually not covered. The water damage inside is often handled with the roof claim.
What does a brown water stain on the ceiling mean?
Water reached the drywall at some point. If the stain is dry and does not grow after the next rain, the leak may have stopped. If it grows or feels damp, water is still getting in and the insulation above is wet.
What causes ice dams?
Heat from the house melts snow on the upper roof. The water runs down and refreezes at the cold eaves, making a ridge of ice. Melt water then backs up under the shingles and drips into the wall or ceiling, usually along an outside wall.
Do I call a roofer or a water damage company first?
Both, in this order: get the opening covered (a roofer or an emergency tarp), then get the water out of the ceiling, insulation and walls. A roofer fixes the roof. A restoration crew dries the house and checks for mold.
Can a wet ceiling be dried, or does it have to come down?
Drywall that is only damp can often be dried in place with air movers and a dehumidifier. Drywall that sags, crumbles or held standing water comes down, along with wet insulation above it.
How long does ceiling water damage take to dry?
Usually 2 to 4 days once the leak is stopped, longer if the attic insulation is soaked. Readings at the stain decide when it is done.