Roof leaks are always a problem, but especially when there are storms. If you have a leaky roof and it starts pouring rain, this can quickly turn into a roofing emergency. Calling a roofing contractor to come out and repair the roof is a given, but there are certain steps you can take when you have a leaky roof to minimize the damage to your home. You never want to wait when your roof is leaking, because that could lead to far worse problems. The quicker you act, the more you can do to protect your home from water damage.
Here are some of the steps you can take when you have a leaky roof.
#1. Move Your Belongings Out Of The Way
If your leak happens where the only thing water is puddling on is the floor, you likely won’t need to worry about this step. However, if your leak is over your furniture or any of your belongings, you’ll want to move them out of the way first thing. The leak is already causing damage – you don’t want it damaging your belongings too, especially not things as expensive as furniture. Plus, water can cause mildew, which neither smells good nor says good things about the future of your favorite armchair.
If you cannot move your belongings out of the way, cover them with plastic. If you do not have plastic sheets, you can likely make do with trash bags. While moving your belongings is ideal, some things are just too heavy to move, so you want to protect them however you can.
#2. Contain The Leak
Once you’ve located your leak and moved the items out of the way, you’ll want to grab some buckets for the water. You’ll also want to grab some towels, trash bags, or whatever else could be helpful for containing the water. It’s a good idea to put some trash bags or towels down under your buckets in order to protect your floors from your leaky roof.
If you would like to avoid the drip-drip-drip sound of water dripping into your buckets and you have some pieces of wood lying around, you can put the wood in the bucket. This minimizes the sound of the dripping.
Ensure that you have multiple containers on stand-by, so that if one fills up, you can easily switch it out while you dump out the water in the filled one.
#3. Call Your Local Roofing Company
If you have a leaky roof, this means there’s unseen structural damage that allowed this to happen. Sometimes, the spot where you see a leak is not necessarily the source of the leak. If you know a lot about roofing, you may try to locate the source of the leak yourself. But this is something best left to a professional.
You want to use a local roofing company that is reputable. Local companies will be aware of the specific concerns your roof is faced with and what requirements, such as installation codes and paperwork, need to be met. Many roofing companies offer emergency roofing services for instances just like when you have a leaky roof after a storm or something like that.
Your roofing professional will examine your roof from the interior and exterior of your home in order to determine the source of the damage and what needs to be done in order to fix it. They will give you an estimate for how much repairs will cost you. If you like, you can call another roofing company to get a second opinion.
#4. Take Photos For Insurance Documentation
If you have a leaky roof, you may be eligible for a home insurance claim. If this is the case, you want to ensure that you take photos of the leak and the damages to submit to your insurance company. Your insurance may cover the roof damage that was sustained, as well as any compromised items.
If you’re unsure if or what your insurance covers in the event of a leaky roof, it is good to consult with your insurance agent, and they will be able to answer any questions you may have for your specific policy and circumstances.
#5. Have Your Roof Fixed
The last thing you want is this hole in your roof that lets rain, snow, pests, and more into your home. You’ll want to have your roof fixed as soon as possible.
Lifetime Roofing provides professional roofing services. If you have a leaky roof, need repairs or replacement, or have any questions about our services, please don’t hesitate to contact us.