What Should You Do if Your Roof is Leaking?

Do you feel like the sky is falling down on you? You might have a leaky roof! Your roof takes on all the elements and protects you from—water, wind, sun, hail, tree limbs, and other debris. If your roof is leaking, despite the immediate action that must be taken to avoid bigger issues, don’t panic!

Instead, follow these steps:

8 Steps To Take When You Have A Leaking Roof

1. Contain the Leak—Mitigate an active leak by placing a receptacle underneath. If water is leaking from your lighting fixtures, locate the breaker box and turn off the electricity immediately to avoid an electrical fire.
2. Protect your Property—Keep your personal belongings safe and dry by moving them away from the leak or covering them to prevent water damage.
3. Call a Roofer—Unless you’re qualified to do the job yourself, it’s important to call a professional roofing company right away to come in and find the source of your leak and discuss what needs to be done to repair it. You’ll want to take care of this immediately to prevent mold from occurring in your home.
4. Take Photos—If you have insurance coverage, document the leak and any water damage to your ceiling, cabinets, electronics, etc. 
5. Relieve the Pressure—If there is a bulge in your ceiling, you need to create a small puncture at its lowest point to empty the water. It may seem counterintuitive to puncture a hole in your ceiling, but doing so can prevent any further damage from arising. 
6. Provide temporary water protection — Because a roof can’t be repaired in the rain, you’ll have to wait for a dry spell before any work can be done. Make sure you cover the portion of the roof causing the leak with a tarp. This will help shield your home from further damage and redirect the rainfall. 
7. Call Your Insurance Company—If the damage to your home is significant enough to warrant a claim, you can call your insurance company. You will likely need an estimate from a roof repair contractor to complete this step. At Roof Pros of Virginia, our estimates are always free. 
8. Schedule Regular Inspection—To help maintain the quality of your roof and protect your home from future leaks it’s important to get your roof regularly inspected.

How to Find a Roof Leak

Once you’ve taken steps to minimize the impact of a roof leak inside your home, you’ll look to find the source of the leak. The first clue is where the water is coming into your home. Some leaks are easy to find where others need a bit more investigation.

When sourcing out a roof leak, look for damage to shingles, such as warping, rotting, or peeling. Also check any area with sealant (for eg: around the chimneys and vents). Of course it’s always best to source out a leak through a professional. It’s a much safer option as the right roofing company will be equipped to work at heights. 

How to Fix a Leaking Roof

Repairing a leaking roof is a work-intensive project that may require skills beyond your means. You’ll need to remove any parts of the roof that show damage and replace them. 

If there is a leak into your house, this means removing and replacing shingles, underlayments, decking, and more. In addition, the repair work may be hazardous, taking place on a sloped surface 12 feet above the ground. 

Our elite roofing contractors at Roof Pros of Virginia offer top-quality customer service and an industry-leading warranty on your roof for as long as you own your home. Contact us today!