As a homeowner, nothing brings on a groan faster than noticing water spots on the ceiling or seeing water dripping from the ceiling. It usually means one of two things: you’ve broken a pipe or a leaky roof.
If you don’t know what to do if your roof is leaking, we’re here to help. We can help you create a plan for how to repair a leaking roof.
#1: Move Furniture or Objects Away from the Leak
The first step to a roof leak repair is to prevent further damage from occurring by moving your belongings, like furniture or other objects, away from the leak site. Upholstery and wood are susceptible to serious damage from water, so taking this step will help mitigate damage stemming from the leak.
By moving furniture out of the way, you’re preventing it from being further impacted, and you’re preventing it from being covered with debris from an interior roof leak repair. Additionally, unless you know your roof damage is an emergency issue as a result of a storm, this will give you more time to investigate, figure out how to find the roof leak and confirm that you’re not dealing with a burst pipe or some other water-related issue.
#2: Place Containers Under the Leak
After you’ve moved objects out of the way of the leak, you will want to place containers under the leak to catch any falling water stemming from the roof leak. Be sure to take precautions to protect your floors first by putting out containers under the leak.
You can use buckets, trash bins, storage containers, or even bowls to keep the water from reaching the carpet or flooring. By placing containers under the leak, you can capture the water before it floods your home while you figure out how to handle the logistics of setting up a roof leak repair.
#3: Call Your Insurance Provider
Before you start searching the internet randomly for roof leak repair near me, you may want to call your insurance provider because a repair may be covered as part of your policy. Homeowners insurance is there for a reason, but you will need to inquire with your agent to find out if your homeowners insurance covers roof leaks. Your insurance agent can help you figure out what to do if your roof is leaking and how you can file a claim.
Your particular situation will determine if your homeowners insurance covers roof leaks. If your roof was damaged in a storm, there’s a good chance you’ll be covered. However, if your shingles were simply too old and your roof was ready for a replacement, you may find that your homeowners insurance will not cover the roof leak. Your agent will help guide you through the process and help you figure out your next steps, whether it’s a new roof or a roof repair, and what to do next.
If for some reason you’re not able to contact your agent, you will want to look at your insurance declaration, which should explain what is covered. Then you’ll know if you need to file a claim.
#4: Check if Your Ceiling Is Bulging
One way to find a roof leak is to check if your ceiling is bulging. A bulging ceiling can indicate that you have standing or pooling water in your attic, which can be a major problem when it comes to mold and other damage that water can cause, such as electrical shorts. It’s also a big indicator that you have a roof leak that has not been resolved, and it’s important to tell that to the roof leak repair company you work with.
#5: Take Photos of the Damage
Taking pictures is a requirement when making a homeowners insurance claim for a roof leak repair. Photos showing both the interior damage and any obvious signs of damage outside, like a fallen tree, will help eliminate questions of coverage.
Additionally, photographing your shingles at the site of the leak will show the age of your roof. However, please don’t attempt to get on your roof when it is wet or windy. If you do take pictures, use the zoom feature of your camera to photograph the shingles, or let your insurance agent take pictures of the shingles if you are not able to take them yourself. Always keep safety in mind!
#6: Tarp the Roof
The last step before contacting a contractor for roof leak repair is to tarp the roof. Again, if you’re not physically able to do this, you will need to have someone tarp the roof for you so that you do not get hurt. Tarping the roof is relatively simple, but it must be secured properly in order for it to do its job.
As always, please keep safety in mind. If you do not have the proper safety precautions in place, you could risk falling off your roof and seriously hurting yourself. Jobson Roofing offers same or next-day emergency roofing services, which includes inspecting the roof and tarping as needed. Don’t risk your own safety just to keep your roof dry.
#7: Call a Specialist in Roof Leak Repair Near You
If you don’t know what to do if your roof is leaking, the best thing you can do is contact a roofing professional who knows what they’re doing. Don’t wait for a storm chaser from out of town to show up at your door, call a specialist in roof leak repair near you. Jobson Roofing is a local roofing contractor whose owner has many years of experience the industry. Jobson Roofing also offers emergency service for either same-day or next-day repairs, which is important as time is of the essence when it comes to roof leak repairs.
Need Emergency Roof Repair in Grand Rapids?
We hope that these seven tips will be helpful and that you will now know what to do if your roof is leaking. Need an emergency roof repair in Grand Rapids? Contact Jobson Roofing today!