In theory, you can expect your roof to last anywhere from 20-50 years.
The reality, though, might turn out a little differently. All it takes is one major hurricane, hailstorm, blizzard, or another severe weather event, and you could be left with a leaky roof.
Has this happened to you? Are you wondering if it’s a DIY fix or if you need to hire a roofer? Take a deep breath and then read on for our step-by-step guide for dealing with a leaky roof.
1. Clear the Space
Whether it’s a tiny drip or a major leak, your first step is moving any affected items out of the way. After all, a leaky roof is bad enough. You don’t want your furniture and electronics to get damaged too.
Whatever lies beneath the leak — whether it’s a couch, a bed, a carpet, or anything else — move it out the way immediately. Anything fabric will trap water and leave you with potential mold or mildew problems. And you don’t need us to tell you how dangerous it is to mix water with anything electronic.
Before you do anything else, make space beneath the leak. This will also give you room to work with for the following steps.
2. Keep the Water Contained
In the space you’ve created, find a logical way to contain the water that’s coming in. Grab buckets, a trash can, or anything else necessary to trap the water.
Meanwhile, use a mop or old towels to clean up as much water as you can. Remember: Even one inch of standing water is enough to damage your flooring and furniture!
Depending on the amount of water coming in, you’ll need to switch out those buckets or trash cans to prevent overflowing. If necessary, set a timer to remind yourself to check the leak every few minutes. Or schedule a rotation for each member of the family to empty and replace the buckets.
3. Remove Excess Water
Once the leak is under control, you’ll want to turn your attention to anything that got wet. This includes your furniture, woodwork, carpeting, and other belongings.
Water stains are one concern, but mold is the more pressing issue. If you don’t thoroughly dry everything, you run the risk of dangerous mold growth inside your home.
Pull your carpet away from the padding to expose both sides. Open the windows and use fans to circulate air and speed up the drying process. If your floors or carpeting are soaked through, you’ll need to call an extraction or remediation company to finish the job.
4. Relieve Water Pressure
If the majority of the leak lies behind your ceiling, you’ll soon see a sagging bulge start to form. Although it sounds counterintuitive, you’ll want to poke a hole in the bulge to release the water.
Why? If you don’t, the water will continue to spread and cause further damage to your roof — even compromising the structural integrity of your home.
Have plenty of towels and buckets nearby. Make sure no one is standing directly underneath the bulge. Then use a screwdriver to puncture the ceiling and release the water. You may have to make several punctures if it’s a large leak.
5. Tarp Your Roof
If it’s safe to climb up on your roof, go ahead up and take a look at the damage. If there’s an obvious place where water is seeping in, the easiest solution is to cover the area with a tarp.
This isn’t a permanent solution, but it will keep your home’s interior safe until you can hire a roofer.
6. Take Photos & Videos
This step is the easiest to forget, but it’s one of the most important ones to remember. Your leaky roof is sure to result in a homeowner’s insurance claim, so you’ll need to collect as much evidence as you can.
Use a camera or your smartphone to snap photos of the leak, the ceiling, the roof, and the collected water. It’s also vital to document all items affected by the leak, from your furniture to your bedding to your electronics.
In theory, your insurance company should cover the costs of repairing your roof and replacing these damaged items. The more evidence you have, the stronger your claim will be.
7. Call a Professional Roofer ASAP
With the immediate dangers resolved, it’s time to call a professional roofer to inspect the damage.
A quick Google search will provide the best roofing companies in your area. For example, this company services homes in the Atlanta metro area.
Depending on the extent of the damage, you may need a simple roof repair or a whole new roof. You won’t know until you call, so don’t wait for the problem to get worse (newsflash: it will).
8. Prevent Future Roof Leaks
The best way to stop a leaky roof is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Once your roof has been repaired, continue a good routine of roof maintenance to prevent problems in the future.
This includes cleaning out your gutters and downspouts regularly. If you have trees close to your home, make sure to keep the limbs and branches trimmed. After a storm, check for any damage like loose, curled, or missing shingles.
Don’t Delay: Get Your Leaky Roof Fixed Today
The biggest mistake you can make is waiting for your leaky roof to get worse. A minor leak today could turn into a major (and expensive) disaster tomorrow.
Don’t let this happen to you! Follow the tips outlined above to mitigate damage quickly. Then be sure to contact a professional roofer ASAP for your roof repair or roof replacement.
After you hire a roofer and get your roof fixed, what’s next? Our site is full of more tips and advice for you, so stay right here and keep browsing!