When your roof starts leaking, it can cause panic. Unfortunately, sometimes elements can creep their way into your home or business whether you like it or not. Incidents happen, and when they do, it’s best to take action as soon as possible — especially when there’s a possibility of water damage.
If you find a leak in your roof, there are some key things you can do to manage the situation and minimize any potential damage. Try these steps below!
Contain It
If your roof starts to leak, try to contain the water as much as possible. Grab buckets, garbage cans, towels, and anything else you can find to trap the water to reduce the impact and damage that water can cause. Make sure you have several backup containers nearby to switch them out regularly to reduce the risk of overflow to avoid any damage to your floors.
Clear the Area
Make sure to take care of your belongings during a roof leak. If there’s a leak over your bed, clothing, or furniture, it’s time to clear the area as best you can.
Water damage can completely destroy your belongings, and nobody wants that. Not to mention, some fabrics trap water and create a mold and mildew. So whatever you can push out of the way, do that as quickly as possible.
Relieve the Water Pressure
A sagging bulge hanging from your ceiling is a sign that there’s water collecting in that area. Although it might seem unwise to poke a hole, that’s what you will want to do to relieve the pressure. If you leave it, the water could spread and cause more serious damage to the ceiling. Plus, it could eventually erupt on its own and create a larger mess. Use a screwdriver to carefully puncture the lowest point of the bulge, and put a bucket underneath it to catch the water. Several punctures may be necessary, depending on the size of the leak.
Use Tarps
If you can’t get your leaking roof fixed right away, a tarp is the next best option in the meantime. When the roof is safe to climb, cover the problem area with a tarp. Sometimes the problem areas are hard to find. If you are having trouble, try to determine the problem area based on where the leak is inside by searching crawl spaces, attics and along the ceilings. Ensure you are using a strong tarp that is at least six millimeters thick, and extends a minimum of four feet across the problem area and up to the peak. If the peak is too far away, tuck under shingles to prevent water from going underneath the tarp.
Take Photos for Insurance
Documenting your damages will come in handy when you file your home insurance claim if the damage is eligible for a claim. We cannot overstate how important it is to take photos and document everything!
Not only does it show the severity of the roof damage, but also the other items that were compromised. If your television, computer, furniture, bedding, or kitchen were ruined by the roof leak, document it. Your insurance could potentially fix the roof and replace the items you lost.
Call a Professional Roofing Company
Hiring a roofing contract you can trust is the best way to ensure your leak is fixed properly and stays fixed. If you wait too long to have it resolved, it can get worse and cause irreversible damage. There’s only so much you can do to manage the situation, so you will want to contact a roofer as soon as possible. Professional roofers can repair the damaged area and assess other spots on your roof that may need repair or reconstruction.
Did you find a leak in your roof? Call Johnson Roofing Solutions right away! Our team provides free estimates AND financing to homes and businesses across the panhandle of Florida. We have offices in Panama City, Chipley and Graceville with our service area expanding from Tallahassee to Pensacola. We are fully licensed and insured, family owned and operated and prepared to take on any roofing project from minor repairs to complete replacements or even new construction. Contact us today and let us be your solution!
