Republic Roofing is here to explain what to do when your roof is leaking. If you have ever experienced a roof leak in your home, you might know how frustrating and stressful the whole experience can be. However, this is not the time to get panicked. As soon as you discover a roof leak, you need to act immediately to avoid costly and more severe issues. Many leaks can be a sign of underlying structural damage that can put your and your family’s life in danger.
As one of the most experienced roofing experts in the region, we fully understand your situation as well as your anxiety. For over a decade, we have assisted hundreds of homeowners like you in fixing their leaking roofs and other roof-related issues with our reliable and long-lasting roofing solutions. We also know how severe minor roofing issues can become in case homeowners overlook them in the beginning.
Roof leaks, if left unattended, can compromise the structural integrity of your entire home, and become far more difficult and expensive to repair later. In extreme cases, it can even lead to premature roofing failure.
To help you protect your roofing investment and to extend the lifespan of your roof, our experts have prepared this practical guide for you.
While it’s important to contact an experienced roofing contractor right away, here are a few things you should do right after you notice a roof leak. Let’s look.
1. Switch off the Power Supply
If the water from the roof leak has reached the conduits inside your home, turn off the power immediately. This step can go a long way in preventing fires, electrocution, and short circuits.
2. Protect Your Belongings
A roof leak is enough to ruin your day. To avoid making it worse, immediately move all your belongings to a safer part of your home. These include.
- Furniture
- Electronics
- Clothing
Keep in mind that water can cause damage to almost all types of things and can even void warranties of your electronic items.
3. Collect or Divert the Dripping Water
Whenever you notice water leaks in your home, your first step should be to prevent it from getting into unaffected parts of your home. So, until the professionals arrive, collect the dripping water in a bucket and empty it outside. Make use of two buckets so that when you’re emptying the first bucket, another one can be used to collect water in the meantime. This can help prevent flooding in your home.
4. Clean Up
Don’t delay cleaning up the standing water from every part of your home. You can use rags or mops to clean up the water. Timely action can help prevent water from seeping into the floor. If left unchecked, standing water can reach the foundation of your home and damage it over time.
5. Contact Professionals
Once you have done everything in your power to avert the crisis, it’s time to let the professional do their job. Always make sure to hire a trusted roofing contractor that knows how to fix a roof leak for the long term. Sometimes, the leak stops once the weather gets back to normal. But by that time, most of the roof leaks can cause permanent damage. You need trained and experienced professionals to avoid permanent damage to your property.
What Are the Causes of Roof Leaks?
- Standing water on the roof
- Skipping roof maintenance or conducting DIY repairs
- Severe roofing damage due to a fallen tree limb
- A roof that is past its prime
- Improper installation by your previous contractor
What to Do When Your Roof is Leaking?
1. Always Be Proactive
When it comes to roof maintenance, it pays to be proactive. Conduct regular roofing inspections and set up a preventive maintenance schedule for your roofing system. Not only will this help prevent roof leaks and other roofing issues, but it will also help increase the lifespan of your roof.
2. Call Professionals Immediately
Roofing is a complex and specialized job. So, don’t attempt to fix your roofing issues yourself. A trusted and experienced contractor can help you save a lot of money and trouble in the long run by providing you with effective and long-lasting repairs.
3. Never Use DIY Roofing Techniques
Improperly installed roofs are way more prone to roof leaks and other problems than professionally installed high-quality roofing systems. So, don’t attempt to install your roof on your own or by hiring cheap and inexperienced contractors. Trusted professionals make sure that your roofing components such as skylights are installed flawlessly with properly aligned seams for watertight protection.
For more information, contact Republic Roofing at 901-437-5278. We service areas in Lakeland, Germantown, Bartlett, Memphis, and Collierville, TN.