6 Things You Should Do Upon Discovering a Leaky Roof
A leaky roof is more than just an annoying issue in your home; water getting into your house is a significant issue that could result in extensive and expensive damage. If you wake up to find a leaky roof in your home, you must act quickly to manage the situation, prevent further damage, and correct the issues.
Read on to learn the six things you should do with a leaky roof.
1. Get Out of the Way
It’s bad enough to learn that your roof leaks, and the last thing you want is to ruin your personal belongings or allow further damage to your home. Water damage can destroy your carpet, furniture, clothing, electronics, and more.
The first thing you want to do to mitigate damage to your property is clear the area. Push everything out of the way that doesn’t like to get wet.
2. Contain Water
Once the area is clear of your belongings, it’s time to contain the water. Grab any container you can get your hands on to catch the water: buckets, trash cans, storage tubs, etc. These containers will keep the water from damaging your carpets and flooring.
Make sure that you swap out containers often to prevent overflowing. You should use containers that aren’t too heavy to move once they are full. You can simply dump collected water into the tub, sink, or outside.
3. Remove Pressure
Do you see a prominent, sagging bulge hanging from your ceiling? This bulge signifies that water is collecting in that spot on your roof. It might be counterintuitive to puncture the bubble, but you want to remove pressure before it removes itself. A growing bulge of water can quickly spread and cause more damage to other parts of your roof. It can also erupt on its own, creating a massive water flow into your home.
Find the lowest point of the bulge and puncture it with a screwdriver. Make sure to place a bucket in the right place to catch the water. Start with a small hole, but don’t be afraid to add several holes so long as you can contain the water.
4. Call a Lafayette Roof Repair Company
Once you’ve cleared the area, contained the water, and dealt with any bulges, it’s time to call in the pros. While you might be able to handle general roof maintenance on your own, fixing a leaky roof is a job for a professional.
Not only does your roofing contractor in Lafayette know how to fix a leaky roof, but they can also inspect other areas of your roof that may need attention.
5. Cover the Leaky Roof
If you can’t get an emergency roof repair appointment immediately, you may need to take additional steps to protect your property. Cover the damaged area with a tarp as soon as it’s safe to climb onto your roof. A six-millimeter thick or thicker tarp is your best yet. You want to cover at least four feet of the damaged area up to the roof's peak. If the peak is too far away, tuck the tarp under the shingles to prevent water from getting under the tarp.
Don’t try to get onto your roof if it’s slippery or you don’t have the right equipment. It’s better to focus on water containment than risk a nasty fall.
6. Take Photos of the Damage
Don’t forget to take photos of the leaky roof for insurance purposes. Proper documentation will help when it’s time to file a homeowner’s insurance claim. You can showcase the leak's severity and any damage to your personal property.
Your insurance company may fix the roof and replace damaged property depending on your coverage. When possible, work with a leaky roof repair professional who knows how to navigate the insurance process, and doing so will save you a ton of hassle down the road.
Roofing Maintenance Is Critical
After your leaky roof is fixed and life goes back to normal, more work still needs to be done. If a leak can happen once, it can happen again. Stick to a regular roofing maintenance schedule to prevent additional leaky roof repairs. Experts agree that your roof should be inspected at least once a year.
Your roof takes on a lot of wear and tear, from extreme weather to harmful ultraviolet light. A roofing professional will inspect your gutters and downspouts, check for roof damage, replace missing or curled shingles, and give you an overall roof health report.
When your roof is in good shape, the risk of another leak decreases significantly. It might also be time to start planning and saving for a new roof, which will give you the best protection again future leaks.
Hibbard Roofing: Your Trusted Partner
Leaky roofs are no laughing matter, so you need a reliable emergency roofer on the job immediately. If you find a leaky roof in your home, don’t panic. Follow the provided steps to contain and mitigate the damage, and then call Hibbard Roofing & Construction.
Our team of experienced and professional Lafayette roofers is happy to assist you. We can fix the leak, inspect your roof, and help you take the proper steps to avoid further problems. More importantly, we offer high-quality service and competitive pricing to ensure you can get the help you need.
Don’t wait for your roof to leak; call us. Schedule your free consultation and stop a leaky roof before it starts.