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Sudden damage to the roof requires immediate action to ensure that it doesn’t lead to more significant problems. If not attended to quickly, this can cause pests and water to enter your home.
Whenever you notice damage, warping, or leaking on your roof, you must attend to it quickly or call an emergency roofing contractor. Whether the issue is from an upended piece of flashing or a hole, emergency roof repair should be undertaken to prevent any further damage to your home.
In this article, you’ll learn about the causes of roof leaks and how to solve this problem. You’ll also learn to determine whether it’s time for repairs and when to call an emergency roofing contractor. Continue reading to find out more.
What is a Roof Repair Emergency?
Your roof is the very first defense for your home, and it offers protection against harsh elements and other unpleasant conditions like rain, sun, and wind. Ensuring that your roof is always structurally and functionally sound is vital. However, multiple factors can alter the integrity of your roofing system.
Sometimes, this can result from a natural disaster like strong wind or even a lightning strike. In other cases, it’s due to pest and rodent infestation. In both cases, you’ll need to get an emergency roof repair.
Types of Emergency Roof Damage
There are different types of emergency roof damages, and it’s essential to know which requires urgent attention. Here’s a summary of some of the common emergency roof damages that you should know:
Water damage
One of the most common damages to know is water damage, and this can affect your roof in many ways, causing damage that requires urgent attention. Different things, including snow, heavy rain, and hurricanes, cause water damage. It could also result from a breakdown of roofing materials with time.
When this occurs, it causes water to seep under shingles and inside flashings and joints. Ultimately, it will cause water to get into your home and cause damage to other parts of your home.
Pest damage
Pest damage is another type of damage you should know. Mice, chipmunks, squirrels, and rats can get into your roof, especially if there’s an overhanging tree nearby. When on your roof, these pests can eat the roofing material.
These pests can also enter your house through the tiny holes they create in the roof. Rodents and small pests can cause severe damage within a short time, requiring emergency repair services.
Storm damage
Storm damage is similar to water damage, and it’s common in places that are prone to extreme weather conditions like heavy snow, tornadoes, or hurricanes. These conditions can cause immediate damage to your roof over time. If you reside in an environment with heavy precipitation, you must regularly perform an inspection, especially for your shingles.
Wind damage
Wind damage is similar to storm damage, and this can cause your shingles to blow off and expose the underlying structural components to extreme conditions like rain, which can cause further damage. Wind damage can also weaken roofing components and cause your wood to rot over time. All of this can also cause roof leaks.
Damage from neglect
Apart from the external factors mentioned above, damage can also result from neglect, which is common in older properties. It’s crucial to perform inspections before moving into an old property and ensure that you pay attention to the state of the home, especially the roof.
Signs to look out for include the growth of moss, broken parts, sagging, or discoloration. You can also look for signs of leakages on your property and get an estimate of the potential cost of repairing the issues you identify.
Tree damage
If your house is close to a tree, you’ll need to look out for this damage. Consider hiring a contractor to perform roof inspections, especially when the tree falls. This will help you identify potential damages caused.
Emergency Roof Repair Tips
If you’re facing any of the damages above, it’s crucial that you understand what to do to solve the problem and prevent additional damage. Here are some handy roof repair tips to help you solve the issue quickly:
Inspect your property immediately
At the end of every storm, it’s imperative to perform a thorough property inspection to check for any possible damage that could have transpired during the storm. Check the roof for granules, large debris, hail dents, or any other sign that will help you identify potential damage.
Also, check the interior for signs of leaks, particularly on your wall or ceiling. Regular inspections will help you identify the problem and determine whether you need a professional.
Document everything
Always document everything during the inspection process. You can consider taking photos, making notes, and putting a mark on places that might be damaged. This documenting process is imperative, especially if you want to file for an insurance claim or seek professional inspection.
Tarp the roof if possible
If you notice damage in large areas, an option to consider is to tarp the area immediately to prevent further damage and water leaks. Tarps are readily available; you can get one from any hardware store. They are also readily available in different sizes, and you can be sure to encounter one that will adequately cover the damage.
Make minor repairs
There are different DIY repairs that you can perform on your property, especially if the issue is a minor one. Issues like small holes and cracked shingles are easy to replace, and you can do this independently without causing further damage.
File an insurance claim
In cases where the damage is significant, you may need to consider filing an insurance claim. This is the initial step, especially if you plan to get a roofing company to inspect your property and arrange an emergency roof repair. Doing this will help you receive a more accurate estimate from the insurance company.
Call a roofing contractor
Most roofing contractors will assist you with some of the processes involved in getting an insurance claim. These processes are usually complicated and can be challenging to navigate, especially when you do it on your own. However, with a trustworthy contractor, you can easily navigate the process. This is basically one of the most significant benefits of using a roofing contractor.
What To Do During a Roof Emergency?
With everything above, the next question that comes to mind is what to do during a roof emergency. The essential thing is to stay calm. However, sometimes the situation may be so severe that only a roofing professional can handle it. To ensure that you don’t panic, here are some of the steps you should undertake during roof emergencies:
Cover exposed areas
Firstly, you should adequately cover all the exposed areas on the property. This is an excellent method to fix a leaking roof, and there are many ways to do this. For instance, you can do it from the exterior part or tarp the leak from the interior.
Call your homeowner’s insurance representative
The following step is to call the insurance representative. This is also vital, as it will allow them to check and ascertain the level of damage incurred. After that, you can call a reliable and trustworthy roofing professional.
When To Contact a Professional
Almost all roof damage requires the attention of a professional. This is because of the height and other dangers involved in the process. Also, the roof is one of the most critical parts of any building because of its function in maintaining the safety and security of your property.
Therefore, it’s best to call an expert to help with emergency roof replacements and roof repairs unless it is a very basic repair. Roofing professionals will have the skills and knowledge to handle any roofing emergency.
