What To Do When Your Residential Roof Springs A Leak
Your House Has A Roof Leak, Now What? This Article Will Give You Tips On How To Prevent Further Damage.
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Mitigate The Damage From A Roof Leak
A sturdy roof provides security and protection for your home, safeguarding it from the harshness of the outside world. However, even the strongest roofs can be damaged by extreme weather like rain, hail, snow, and wind, leading to leaks that can cause serious damage to your home’s structure and furnishings.
The quicker you address a roof leak, the less damage there will be, so it’s important to act fast when you notice a problem. While roof leaks can be inconvenient, there are steps you can take to minimize their impact, save money, and prevent further water damage to your home.
In this article, we’ll examine the various steps you can take to deal with a leaky roof.
Signs Your Roof Is Leaking
Leaking water shortly after or during rain is the earliest and most obvious indicator of a roof leak. However, there are numerous examples where water coming in slow drips causes more damage if left unchecked.
Some indicators of a roof leak that are visible from the inside are:
- Water stains discolor various surfaces in the room
- There are numerous damp patches on the ceiling or walls
- Paint or plaster cracking or bubbling
- Moisture particles or raindrops on walls and or furniture
- The ceiling and upper levels may have a pungent odor
- Your ceiling and wall surfaces are covered in fungus and other biological growths
- Roofing nails or debris lying around
- Many tiles are lost or damaged, and their absence is obvious
- Spots and water stains on your wall
Preventative Measures To Mitigate Damage
Don't let the water cause damage
Locating an ongoing roof leak requires immediate action to reduce structural damage. Everything that can get damaged by water must be moved or covered with waterproof material. Protect anything of value, such as household goods and electronic devices.
Hold the water back
If you notice a leak, set a container or other leakproof bucket under it to collect the water as a temporary solution. You can control moisture from spreading and causing further water damage on the floor by placing a piece of cloth just around the bucket, or you can stick roofing tape to the roof around the leakage to create a channel for the water to flow into the container.
If you see bubbles forming in the wall’s paint, it’s an indicator that it is retaining water; pop the bubble to collect the water in a container. This type of water intrusion means that you need the assistance of a certified roofing professional; many of them provide emergency services that include a permanent fix for small leaks around the clock.
Drain the leaked water
Once the source of the leak is securely mended, all the rugs and wooden furniture in the affected area must be dried completely, or you may have to pay for mold remediation.
Water might be a problem because it leaves stains but preventing mold growth is much more important. If your carpet gets wet, separate it from the covers so that both surfaces can dry completely. You should contact a water extraction service if the situation worsens.
Get in touch with your insurance company
You should contact your insurance company as soon as possible if you notice serious damage to your house. Insurance claims for roof leaks aren’t always paid, but you should still go to your insurer to find out.
Have your roof fixed immediately
After you’ve temporarily mitigated the emergency situation and repaired as much of the inside as necessary, it’s time to address the roof. An authorized roofing contractor should be contacted to provide a permanent solution to the problem. If you want to choose the best contractor, consider the following:
- Shop around for rates from different providers
Make sure your roofer is willing to inspect and fix any rotted roofing material before starting work - Have a professional roofer clarify the extent of work they will do in writing
- Find out how long the roof has been in use and whether it comes with a warranty
- Make sure your roofing contractor understands that his roof mends will need to get final approval from the city and will be regularly checked
- Don’t give the go-ahead to start working until you’ve confirmed that every one of these conditions has been satisfied
- Steer clear of roofers with no work history, reviews, and other independently verifiable information
It is worth mentioning that fixing roof damage should be left up to professionals. This will ensure that you don’t need to deal with future leaks anytime soon.
Fix The Roof So That It Doesn't Leak Again
Follow these simple instructions to prevent your roof from leaking again:
Prune nearby tree branches
Falling tree branches can damage a roof. Even small branches can gradually wear out a roof by scraping against the surface.
Maintain a clean drainage system
The drains and sewage pipes may get clogged with leaves, twigs, and other tiny debris that falls from the trees. To maintain your gutters and ensure it is free of debris. If the clog is persistent, disconnect the drain line and use a broomstick or an unclogging tool to clear it.
Examine your collar beam
Chimneys and vent covering that have come loose or removed, as well as pipe collars that have become loose or worn, will all contribute to leaks in the ceiling. You will want to repair the flashing or the collar if the damage is extensive. Roofing grease can help fix a broken seal if it was only temporarily affected.
8 Easy Roof Repair Tips
1. Switch out the flashing for the roof line
2. Construct a new roof sheet
3. Patch the crack with plaster or silicone
4. Cover the dripping area with a sheet
5. Get new roof shingles
6. Apply a layer of rubber sealer to permanently fix the leak
7. Immediately seal the leaking roof using roof covering
8. Repair holes in the rooftop using roofing cement
Bottom Line
To avoid future damages to your roof and your pocket, act fast; call your insurer before paying for expensive repairs. Then call a reliable roofing company immediately for emergency assistance to diagnose the problem, get an estimate, and set up an appointment.
It is important to find a roofer that’s reputed and uses high-quality materials, to ensure that the roof lasts for the longest time possible.
We Service The Entire Denver Metro Area And Beyond
Maxx Roof LLC serves the Denver metro area and the surrounding areas. Some of the cities we serve are Denver, Lakewood, Castle Rock, Arvada, Aurora, Boulder, Broomfield, Littleton, Englewood, Centennial, Parker, Thornton, Wheat Ridge, Golden, Morrison, Brighton, Commerce City, Watkins, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Edgewater & beyond.
If your home or commercial property is located anywhere throughout the greater Denver metro area, give us a call for a free inspection & estimate. When you choose to work with Maxx Roof LLC, your are choosing to work with a roofing contractor you can count on, every step of the way.
