You’ve just sat down on the couch to enjoy a movie on a Friday night. You have your popcorn bowl in one hand, and the remote in the other. The second you sit down and get comfortable, you feel a drop of water land on your forehead, and all of a sudden, you’ve discovered that your roof has a leak.
Having a leaking roof is never an exciting moment, but there are a few steps you should follow to decrease the potential damage.
#1: Protect the Inside of Your Home
The first thing you want to do is prevent any water damage inside your home. This means going around and covering up all of your furniture and electronics that are near the source(s) of water. We highly recommend unplugging any electronics and appliances that are near the leak, this will help decrease the chance of an electrical fire.
#2: Contain the Water
Now it’s time to grab all of the large pots, bowls, and Tupperware in your kitchen and start placing them under the areas that are leaking. This will help contain the water and decrease the damage to the interior of your home. If water is splashing outside of the pot or bowl on to the floor, use an old towel to soak up the water.
Take a look at the condition of the ceiling paint – if the water stains are dark and bubbling, it’s possible they are holding water. Grab a large bucket or bowl and try your best to carefully poke a small hole with a long object so the water is able to escape. If you are unable to control the source of the water, we recommend calling an emergency professional roofing service to decrease any further damage.
#3: Connect with a Roofing Professional
Try your best to maintain the situation until a roofing professional arrives. Hiring a credible roofing professional will help you get the best and longest-lasting outcome on your roof repair. They will also provide you with insight to prevent leaks from happening in the future. Here are a few questions to ask before hiring a roofing contractor:
- Are you licensed, insured, and able to pull the proper permits?
- After the repair, will you be walking me through the recommended maintenance instructions?
- Will you be repairing all of the old or damaged wood before roofing?
- Is there a guarantee or life expectancy of the new roof or repair?
- How does the municipal inspection process work and will you be walking me through it?
- Will you please send me over a detailed estimate or quote?
- Are you qualified to talk to my insurance company on my behalf to see if the damage is covered under my insurance policy?
We always recommend for you to be aware of companies who aim to provide low-quality work for a high price. Always ensure that you’re comfortable with the roofing company before they begin working on your roof repair.
Once your roof is repaired and life is back to normal, here are a few maintenance tips to keep in mind to prevent any future leaks.
Trim Those Trees
Tree limbs and branches can puncture or scrape your roof at any time! Trimming the trees surrounding your house will help decrease the chance for a surprise leak.
Keep Your Gutters Clean
Clogged gutters means trapped water. Cleaning your gutters is an easy way to prevent water from pooling in your gutters and making its way into your home.
Inspect Pipe Collars
If you have a cracked chimney or broken pipe collar, there’s a possibility for water to make its way into your house. If you’re not sure what to look for, call up your roofing professional for guidance.
By following these steps, you can reduce the damage to your home and help prevent any leaks in the future!