Leaking Roof After A Major Storm
In the case of a major catastrophe or visual wind damage, you probably already know that you need to get your roof looked at by the experts.
However, if youve noticed some of the more minor signs that weve listed below, then you need to examine things further and determine the next steps regarding your potential roof leak and repairs.
Let Bad Weather Have Its Way
Its easy to panic and put yourself into an unsafe situation trying to figure out where a leak is coming from, but the first step is to let the weather pass. Dont go out into a thunderstorm and try to figure out where the leak is coming from. Its not worth a slip and fall to try to get a tarp on the roof in the rain. So the first step is to hang tight and wait it out. Break out the buckets to catch the drips as much as you can. Stay patient until things dry out a bit.
Your Flashing Has Cracked
What Does It Look Like: Flashing are thin pieces of metal that are installed under shingles and on the joints of your roof in order to create a water-resistant barrier, which can be concealed or exposed. If exposed, they will look like long runs of sheet metal and, if concealed, they will have a rubberized coating overtop. Broken flashing will feature large cracks
Why It Happens: Roofers often use tar to seal the flashing together and that can corrode over time. In the event that your flashing is left exposed, elements like wind and rain could be the reason behind its crack.
How To Fix It: : Once you locate the source of the leak, pry up the nails used to secure the old flashing. Lift any shingles out of the way and remove the cracked segment. Gently put a new run of flashing in its place, fasten the new flashing in the same pattern as your old piece using roofing nails. Then, apply a coat of roofing sealant to the nail heads. Routinely check flashing around your chimney and vents to ensure that cracks arent letting in moisture.
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Call A Roofing Contractor
Many people ask, “Who should I call first: my insurance company or a roofing contractor?”
We recommend calling an Arizona roofing contractor first. Not because we’re a roofing company, but for these three reasons:
1) If the leak is minor and the damage is minimal, it might not meet your home insurance deductible . So there’s no point in calling the insurance company.
2) When you call the insurance company, they’ll tell you to call a roofing contractor to inspect the roof to get an estimate of the damage. The insurance company needs an estimate from a professional before they can cut you a check.
3) The roofing contractor can determine if the leak is actually a roofing problem or something else.
So now it comes down to which roofing contractor you call.
Your insurance agent can give you some recommendations. But they’re just that- recommendations. You can choose the roofer you want.
We suggest you do your own research and get 2-3 estimates from quality roofers. To find quality roofers, use these resources:
Address Exterior Damage Related To Your Leaking Roof
A leaking roof could be a sign of other issues, especially if you notice your roofs leaking after a storm. First, check your roof for debris and check your gutters. When a gutters blocked by twigs, leaves, and other debris, the residue can prevent water from flowing away from your roof. This can lead to roof damage. The weight of the debris can also cause your gutters to sag or pull away from your house, preventing them from working effectively. You may need to hire contractors to fix or replace your gutters when you have your roof repaired.
A leaking roof can cause damage inside and outside your home. However, investing in prompt roof repairs will reduce the extent of the damage.
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To Get Insurance You Should Call The Insurance Company
With a tarp and your family safe, you should call your insurance company to report the damage done. They need to ensure that you have all the documents to show your insurance company. People will start the insurance process faster if you tell them about the damage as soon as possible. This is why it takes a while for your roofer to begin fixing your roof.
Austin Leaking Roof Repair
If you have a leaking roof in Austin, Texas, or the surrounding areas, or youre in need of emergency roof repairs make sure to give Roof Royale a call. Were a local roofing contractor delivering professional roofing solutions and services at reasonable, affordable rates. Give us a call and our roofing experts will be onsite ASAP to assess, estimate, and restore your homes integrity to the way it was.
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Theres Condensation In Your Attic
What Does It Look Like: A leak is most likely coming from your attic if the space shows signs of mold growth or mildew. A strong, musty odor emanating from the attic is also a key that water has gotten inside.
Why It Happens: As the uppermost part of your home, the attic is trapped between indoor and outdoor temperatures. When those clash think hot summers and cold winters condensation will form and moisture will follow.
How To Fix It: First, treat any mold growth. Then, take the time to isolate your attic to prevent large fluctuations in temperature. Make sure that all of the roof vents are clear from the interior end and install a large ventilation fan, if needed. Pay special attention to the venting from your attic to prevent condensation from causing a leak.
Roof Leak Repairs That Require A Roofing Contractor
Roof vents can be more complicated to fix. Know that if there is a leak around the roof vents youll likely need to replace the damaged vents.
You can add some caulk around the edges of the shingles near the vent and replace damaged or missing nails with rubber-washed screws, but theres really not a proper substitute in the long term.
Check your insurance policy and get a quote from a contractor if you have damage around your roof vents, chimney, or other constructions and spots that you think will require more extensive work than what you can do yourself.
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Is Your Leaking Roof An Emergency You Should Take Care Of Asap
June 14, 2021 by Trico Exteriors
A roof leak can be a devastating event for any homeowner. When you notice a leaky roof during a storm, your first course of action should be to identify the source of the leak and schedule prompt repairs. Unfortunately, emergency roof leak repairs are relatively expensive since the contractor will need to plan a rapid response. Roofing contractors are usually booked weeks before the project, and you may need to pay a higher price if they must respond to your roofing issue right away. The same applies if the roofer has to work after-hours, over the weekend, or on holidays. So, you need to understand what roof leaks constitute an emergency and which ones dont.
Missing Or Damaged Shingles
One of the most common reasons for a roof leak is missing or damaged shingles. This can be caused by high winds, severe weather conditions, and even improper installation. Shingles can crack, dent, or lift from the wind, which can loosen their seal.
If youre missing just one shingle, its not too difficult to replace it yourself. But if you have more extensive damage, youll need to call in the pros to perform a total roof replacement.
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Call A Professional Roofing Company
A leaking roof is a big undertaking, so its best to call the pros. The longer you wait, the worse the problem could get. Theres only so much you can do to manage the situation, so itll need fixing immediately.
Professional roofers can repair the damaged area and assess other spots on your roof that may need repair or reconstruction.
Dangers Of A Leaking Roof
A roof leak is not only frustrating, but its hazardous as well. Here are a few things to be aware of:
- Mold
- Leaks that arent corrected right away can cause mold. Moisture is a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which is a huge problem.
- Mold can create health concerns, but it could also ruin wall and flooring coverings, wood framing, and ceiling tiles.
- The presence of mold can decrease the value and marketability of your home.
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How To Tell If You Have Ceiling Mold
Alright, you suspect that you have ceiling mold or at least are aware that its a possibility after your leaky roof encounter. What signs can you look out for in order to spot ceiling mod and take appropriate action? Are there even visible signs?
The good answer is that yes, you can most often spot pretty quickly whether or not youve got ceiling mold. Look out for the following:
- Brown or gray ceiling discoloration
- Visible mold growth
- A musty odor near the area of the roof leak
Aside from the above visible signs, there are also some obvious health side effects that can trigger you to realize you have mold in your home:
- Asthma attacks
- Rashes or hives
- Chronic fatigue
If you or anyone in your home is experiencing one or more of the above signs, and you know youve recently experienced water damage to your ceiling, then its time to take action. Whether you remove the mold yourself or call in a professional, make sure to address mold growth sooner rather than later.
What Causes Roof Leaks
Roof leaks are caused by many different factors. Anything that can cause damage to your roof can cause it to leak. It can be a heavy tree branch falling on your roof, or a crack in your shingles caused by the weather, or it could be some of those missing tiles that you always said that youll fix, or ice the possibilities are truly endless.
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Is A Leaking Roof An Emergency
Unfortunately, many home and business owners at one point find themselves asking: is a leaking roof an emergency?
Heres the short answer: No matter how big or small a leaking roof might seem its an emergency.
If you would like to get in contact with an expert immediately, we offer 24/7 emergency roof repair.
A small leak can soon develop into a big problem and a big leak can quickly lead to a lot of water damage in your home.
If you have a leaky roof, you may not need to replace the entire roof. Sometimes, a combination of smaller repairs and preventative maintenance can stop you from having problems in the future. Here are some things to look out for if you are experiencing a leaky roof and ways you can help prevent leaks in the future.
Contain The Roof Leak
The first step to take care of your roof leak is to contain the water to prevent widespread damage. This is usually done with putting a bucket or a pot in your attic to catch the water as it comes down through your roof.
If you dont contain the water, the cost to repair the water damage inside your home will greatly outweigh the cost of your roof repair. Be aware, the cause of your leak isnt always going to be where you see the water come through your roof.
To track the source and cause of your roof leak, youll need to call a roofing contractor for a roof inspection.
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Create A Temporary Shingle From Sheet Metal Or Plastic
If you need to replace shingles on your roof but dont have extra roof supplies laying around, you can fashion a temporary shingle from sheet metal.
Cut the sheet metal to match the size and shape of a shingle, then follow the steps as if you were replacing an ordinary shingle. Once you have the sheet metal shingle in place, you can nail it in, being sure to cover the nails with roofing cement so the holes dont start leaking.
How To Attach A Roof Tarp To Make An Emergency Roof Repair
1. Spread the tarp over the leaking area.2. Make sure the tarp is flat with out big creases. Use small bricks, 2x4s or weights to help hold the tarp down until you can fully secure it.3. Start at the highest location on the roof and begin to secure the tarp to the roof using roofing nails or screws. Utilize the grommets to avoid ripping or tearing the tarp.4. Work your way down to the area of the tarp that is closest to the ground.
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Use A Waterproof Tarp Or Plastic Sheet To Cover The Area
Whether you find missing shingles, tears, or punctures caused by impacts, or pooling water due to improper installation, you need to temporarily repair the affected area to prevent water from getting in.
Using a tarp or plastics sheets to cover the entire area where the leak is coming from or where there is visible damage is a very reliable temporary fix for a leaking roof. These could help to prevent any further leaks .
With the plastic sheet you can use them to cover the affected area and fasten them to the roof using roofing nails, or use duct tape to keep it secure so that it wont blow away and leave your roof susceptible to more damage and leaks.
Using Tarp tarp is the most commonly used method to temporarily cover a roof leak. Being made with strong and flexible waterproof material, a tarp will protect the affected area by keeping moisture out. To prevent the tarp from blowing away in case of another storm or heavy wind, you have to nail down the edges or use duct tape to keep it secure as with the plastic sheets.
You can also use other methods such as roofing cement, caulk or silicone, and rubber sealant coating to fix cracks, patch holes in your roof, or make other emergency roof repairs.
How To Minimize The Damage Of A Roof Leak
Roof leaks not only make water drip from your ceiling, but they can also compromise the structural integrity of your house. Its important to take actions to minimize damage as soon as you realize theres a problem.
If the roof leak is causing the ceiling drywall to sag, the best thing to do is to take a pencil and poke a hole in the center of the affected area. But a bucket under the hole and watch the water pour through.
This will keep the water from spreading out over the ceiling and damaging the walls and decor, which can potentially cause the ceiling to collapse. As soon as you have this situated, then its time to go and find where the leak is coming from.
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Go Over The Estimate With Your Roofing Contractor
After receiving your roof estimate, your contractor should set up a time to sit down with you and go over it. They should go over each and every line item in your quote so you understand exactly what youre paying for.
Its also crucial that you read the fine print in your estimate. The fine print tells you if a contractor will pay for damaged property and whats excluded from your repair or roof replacement.
This is also your opportunity to air your concerns and ask any questions you have. If a roofing contractor won’t go over your estimate with, don’t think about hiring them.
What Happens If You Ignore A Roof Leak
Knowing how to temporarily repair roof leaks and manage water damage until help arrives is important. But even more crucial is getting the damaged roof fixed by a Bowie roofing professional as soon as possible. Here is what can happen if you choose to ignore a roof leakeven a relatively minor oneinstead.
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Signs Of A Leaking Ceiling
A ceiling leak can be as obvious as water dripping from the ceiling onto the floor, or it can manifest itself in ways that are more difficult to detect: musty smells, ceiling fixtures full of water, or infestations of insects. Most ceiling leaks are persistent, not one-off or isolated problems. The leak does pass through the ceiling, but it can also continue and drip down walls.
