The roof is an essential part of every building. There is almost no way you can build a house with no roof. However, roofs can leak and this is something that can happen to any home. As a result of its inevitability, you need to be equipped ahead of such situations. Getting the right information is even more important if it has already happened.
Here, we will consider things to do when you notice that your roof is leaking to avoid further damage to your house.
Signs of a leaking roof
Before we proceed, we have to consider some of the common signs of a leaking which are:
- Leaking water
- Water stains spreading across the ceiling
- Water dripping from above and pooling on the floor like a puddle
- House walls covered in water streaks
- A water stain appearing as a large puddle on the ceiling
- Smaller water stain appearing in a dark corner
- Cracked, curled or buckled roof shingles
- Water spots on exterior walls
- Exterior walls covered in algae, mold or moss
- Missing shingles or debris in downspouts
Having known the signs, here are the important things you must do when you notice your roof is leaking:
- Stop the water damage
After discovering an active leak in the roof of your house, the first and most important thing to do is to minimize the damage as much as you can. To get this done, get a plastic covering and port it over any item that water can damage in the affected part of your house. This may include electronics and furniture.
- Contain the water
The next step in line for you is to contain the water. Get a bucket of water as quickly as you can and put it beneath the leak to catch the water. Where you can’t control or contain the water, you must get in touch with a licensed roofing contractor as soon as possible to avoid greater damage.
- Remove the water
After you have contained the leaks, the next thing for you is to get rid of the water. You would have to dry your carpet, woodwork, furniture, and any other item exposed to the water thoroughly. If you don’t do this, the water will leave a stain and also make mold grow in your home. Therefore, removing the water is a very important step that you must never fail to take whenever you are dealing with a leaking roof in your house.
- Call your insurance agent
In certain cases, the damage sustained by your house might be quite heavy. When this happens, your best bet is to call your insurance agent. Even if your policy doesn’t cover damage occasioned by a leaky roof, you should still try to get in touch with your insurance agent as soon as you can to work things out.
- Fix that leaky roof
Once you have successfully out the situation under control and also minimize the damage, it might just be the proper time for you to fix the roof. In most cases, the best way to a avoid s reoccurrence is to contact a licensed roofing contractor to fix it.