Roof leaks are the last thing any homeowner wants. Your house should make you feel comfortable and shielded from the elements of the outdoors. Unfortunately, whether you like it or not, outdoor elements like wet weather may find their way inside your home and damage what you own. Incidents happen, and when they do, it’s vital to act as soon as possible – especially if your house is at risk of water damage or any damage at all for that matter. If you discover that your roof is leaking, you can take some important steps to control the issue and prevent any possible water damage. Here are some of the steps that you may take.
1. Move your belongings out of the way
It’s terrible enough if your roof is damaged and leaking. The very last thing you want to have is damaged belongings as well. It’s best that you clean the area if there’s a leak over your clothing, your furniture, or where you sleep! Water damage may destroy and ruin some of your most valuable possessions, which is something no one wants. Not to mention that some materials collect moisture and emit a foul mildew odour that could stink up your living area and make it uninhabitable. So, get anything you can out of the way as soon as possible!
2. Contain the water
If you have a leaking roof, it would be beneficial if you attempt to keep it as contained as possible. To contain such an incident, you can g rab buckets, garbage cans, towels, and anything else you might find to catch the water and limit its effect and damage on your house. Not only could this protect your furniture from water damage, but it can also protect your floors as well. It is best that you have many containers handy that can catch the water and change them out on a regular basis to prevent the chance of overflow.
3. Relieve water pressure
A drooping bulge hanging from your ceiling indicates that water is pooling there. It is best that you make a hole in the region, even if it appears to be a bad idea. If you leave it, the water may possibly spread and do further damage to the ceiling. Furthermore, it might rupture on its own and cause a bigger catastrophe that would be harder to deal with and clean up. To lessen the damage of this bulge, you must pierce the lowest part of the bulge with a screwdriver, and place a bucket beneath it to catch the water. Depending on the magnitude of the leak, many punctures may be required.
4. Tarp the roof
If you can’t get your leaking roof repaired straight away for whatever the situation may be, a tarp to contain the damage temporarily is your best choice. When the roof is safe to climb, cover the damaged area with a tarp. Problem regions might be difficult to locate at times, so if you’re having problems, you must attempt to pinpoint the source of the leak within. Furthermore, you should use a tarp that is at least six millimetres thick and spans at least four feet across the issue region and all the way to the summit. Tuck under shingles if the peak is too far away to prevent water from getting below the tarp. By doing all of this, you are making sure that all of your roof is protected and covered.
5. Take photos
The most crucial step in repairing a leaky roof is to document everything and take pictures of the damage. Documenting your damages will be useful when filing your home insurance claim if the damage is claimable. It cannot be further emphasized how crucial it is to photograph and document everything. It demonstrates not just the extent of the roof damage, but also the other objects that were jeopardized. It is important that you document any damage caused by the roof leak to your television, computer, furniture, bedding, or kitchen. Your insurance company may be able to repair the roof and replace the goods you lost.
6. Contact professional roofing company
Taking on a home repair job may not appear to be a huge concern to some homeowners, but there are several things that may go undetected and cause greater damage later in the future. A leaky roof is a large job, so it’s best to leave it to the professionals. The more you wait, the worse the situation may become, which may cost more time and money to fix. There’s only so much you can do to control the problem, therefore it must be addressed right now with professional help. Professional roofers can fix the affected areas as well as inspect other areas of your roof that may require repair or renovation. For a better roofing experience, it is advised that you choose a local, trusted roofing contractor.
7. Regular Maintenance
There will be additional work to be done once the roof has been repaired and things have returned to normal. The best approach to control and prevent leakage is to do periodic roof maintenance. Your roof is subjected to a great deal of wear and tear, as well as exposure to harsh external elements. Closely examining for any trees that may have grown too close to your roof and cutting back limbs and branches, making sure gutters and downspouts are not blocked up with leaves or other unwanted materials, checking for any destruction after severe weather, such as weak or missing shingles, looking for fractures in the chimney, and locating and replacing any curled or split shingles are all part of routine roof maintenance.
Taking action in roof repair and making sure your roof is okay is important, especially if it is experiencing a leak and water damage. If you are experiencing a leakage, you must move your belongings out of the way of the leaking spot, contain the water, relieve the pressure, tarp the roof, take photos of the damages, contact a roofing company and perform regular maintenance on your roof after everything is fixed. By following these tips, you are not only fixing your roof from the water damages, but also preventing it from ever happening again.
