Introduction
There’s nothing better than listening to heavy rain on the roof or watching a storm pass when you’re comfortably inside. Of course, this can be ruined if your roof leaks. It’s important to fix the roof leak as soon as possible, but there are few steps to follow in order to get this done, as well as to limit damage to your home.
The guide below will tell you what to do if your roof ever leaks. Follow the steps below to minimize damage to your home and make the repair process as efficient and effective as possible.
- Minimize water damage:
Once you notice the leak, the first thing you need to do is ensure as little immediate water damage is allowed to occur. The leak may be dropping onto electronic devices, carpets or any other kinds of items that should not be exposed to water.
Start by laying down a plastic tarp water where the leak is occurring. This will protect the floor from water damage. You then need to move any nearby furniture, electronics and valuables away from the leak. It’s best to get them out of the room entirely.
- Contain the water:
The next step is to contain the water if the leak is still dripping. You can do this by placing a bucket under the leak. Depending on the intensity of the leak, as well as how long you need to wait fix the roof leak, you may need to empty the bucket regularly to avoid it overflowing.
- Dry anything that has gotten wet:
In some instances, you may notice the leak too late and some things may have gotten wet. Don’t panic though. You just need to make sure they dry properly. If not, they may become damaged as well as harbor mould.
You can use a hair dryer or space heater to dry what you can. Just ensure you don’t overheat the item and cause further damage. Alternatively, you can call in experts to get everything dried quickly and professionally.
- Try and determine the cause of the leak:
With the immediate damage and problem handled, you can now start figuring out what has caused the leak. You’ll likely need to go into your attic or roof space to find the source.
Follow the drip to where it starts. You’ll likely find that it is coming directly from the roof where there may be flashing that has pulled away or a tile has been cracked.
Take pictures of the problem and make a mark if you can so that you can find the spot again when it has stopped raining.
- Take pictures of damage:
Take the time to take pictures of any damage to your home and possessions caused by the leak. Having this evidence can speed up any insurance claims as well as prove valuable to repair professional when it comes time to fix the leak. For instance, it can give them a clear idea of where the leak started.
- Make necessary repairs:
Book in a time with a roofing professional to get the leak fixed as soon as possible. You’re better off trusting the professionals than doing the job yourself. Working on a roof is dangerous and it’s easy to cause more damage as you try to fix something.
You may also need to book in other repair professionals to handle any water damage caused. There may be some jobs you can do yourself though, like repainting.
- Prevent future leaks:
With the leak handled, you can now do your best to prevent such an incident from happening again.
For instance, if there are any trees near your home, ensure that they are kept trimmed. No branches should overhang your roof as they can damage your roof. Similarly, in extreme weather trees may lose branches or fall over entirely. If they are close to your home or overhanging your roof, they may fall on your home causing lots of damage.
You should also keep your gutters clean. Many roof leaks are actually caused by gutters overflowing and water being forced back into the roof. Therefore, taking care of this simple maintenance job before the rainy season starts, as well as after any big storms or windy days, can drastically reduce the likelihood of another roof leak.
Another strategy is to get your roof cleaned and checked regularly by professionals. They may be able to catch any problems before they turn into a leak, like flashing starting to pull away or cracks in tiles and shingles.
Read here to know more about Common waterproofing problems
Take Away!
Don’t worry about roof leaks the next time it rains. With this handy guide, you’ll be able to handle them like a pro, including preventing them from happening in the future.
