In the United States, a new roof costs an average of $36,000. This price depends on location, the material you use for your roof, and more. Because roofs are such a large investment, learning how to care for and maintain them will help you save money in the long run.
Keep reading this guide for everything you need to know about dealing with roof leaks and other common roof issues.
Locate the Leak
The first thing you should do when you have a roof leak is to locate the leak. While it may be obvious due to dripping water, in some cases it can be difficult to spot the source of a leak.
For example, you may have a leak that is caused by clogged gutters or issues with your flashing.
Inspecting your roof can make it easier to locate the leak and prevent more damage to the area. If you inspect your roof and are still not able to identify where the leak is coming from, give us a call and we can have one of our roofing experts take a look.
Move All Of Your Belongings
Once you have located the leak, you must move all of your belongings. Not only can a roof leak damage the structure of your home, but it can also ruin many of your possessions.
For example, you should move all of your furniture out of the way, especially if water is leaking into your home. Otherwise, your furniture will get wet and mold or mildew could destroy it.
Water can also be dangerous for your electronics. Make sure you unplug everything in the area of the leak to keep the water from damaging or ruining your electronics.
Catch the Water
Next, you should collect the water. If the leak in your roof has made it through all of the layers of roofing material and drywall, it will start to drip into your home. To prevent this, you can simply use a bucket or a bowl to catch the water that is dripping from the leak.
Make sure you keep an eye on the water level as you catch the water or it may overflow! When it is ready to be changed, you can replace it with another bowl and dump the water outside.
Relieve Pressure
Sometimes a roof leak will result in a swollen spot in your ceiling or drywall. This may be due to water pooling in one spot. If these areas are left alone, the water can continue to pool until the area bursts.
In some cases, it can even cause part of your drywall to collapse. If you notice this problem when your roof is leaking, you can relieve the pressure of the water by cutting a small hole in the bulge.
This way, the water that is building up will release before it can cause structural damage.
Cover the Leak
If you are unable to schedule an appointment with a roofing company, you should cover the leak on your roof with a tarp. This is especially important if there is bad weather that will make your leak worse.
Covering the area with a tarp will prevent the water from getting into your home and causing more damage.
Clean Up
Once you have gotten control over your leaking roof, you should start cleaning up after the leak. If there is any standing water in your home, waiting too long to clean it up may result in mold and mildew growth. It can even rot the floor in your home and damage your foundation.
Make sure you immediately mop up the water and clean up any other debris that came in while the roof was leaking.
Contact a Professional Roofing Company
One of the most important steps you can take when you have a roof leak is to contact a professional roofing company. Even if you are quite handy, a roof leak is something that needs to be taken seriously and is best to leave to a professional.
Climbing a ladder and getting up on your roof yourself could result in serious injuries. Plus, you may not know the proper methods for repairing a roof leak.
A roofing company is experienced in repairing leaks and will ensure that your roof doesn’t get damaged further.
Even if it stops raining and the leak subsides, a leak in your roof can still cause permanent damage. A roofing company can help you identify the location of the leak, understand what caused the leak, and can fix it before it causes more damage.
Make sure you contact a roofing company as quickly as possible! Otherwise, the damage may get worse over time and will require a much more expensive repair or roof replacement.
Improve Roof Maintenance
Finally, you must find ways to improve your roof maintenance. Many roof problems stem from improper maintenance. For example, many roof leaks are caused by an issue with the flashing on your roof.
If you regularly inspect and maintain your roof, you can fix these issues before they develop into worse situations.
Dealing With a Roof Leak? Find Roof Leak Repair Near Me
When your roof is leaking, it can lead to serious structural damage to your home if left unchecked. Following these tips can help you get the issue under control until you find a roofing company to help!
If you need help replacing a roof or repairing a roof, Volpe Enterprises can help! We specialize in residential and commercial roofing services and can help you locate and repair your roof leak.
Contact us to learn more about our services or to get a free estimate for your roof leak repair.