What to Do If Your Roof is Leaking

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Few things will strike fear in a homeowner's heart the way a leaky roof will. If you notice telltale signs of a leak, you might wonder, "is a leaking roof an emergency?" The short answer is that a leaking roof is never a thing to ignore because the structural damage can be significant, even over a short period of time. Our specialty is providing digital roof inspections by drone, and then matching homeowners with contractors who have the expertise and experience necessary to perform full roof replacements or repairs for both residential and commercial properties.

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My Roof is Leaking, What Should I Do?

You're most likely to spot your roof leak during a heavy rain storm. Of course, this is never a convenient problem, but you will need to move quickly to minimize the damage and expense, and to prevent future leaking from happening. The first step upon discovering a leaky roof is to stop the water damage as much as possible. Covering furniture and other household objects with a heavy tarp will usually accomplish this task. Containing the water is the next objective. A large bucket under a stream or drips of water usually works effectively. You'll also need to remove the water from your home and dry out all areas as much as possible. If carpeting and padding is saturated, pull everything up and allow it to dry. Next, you may wonder, "who do you call when your roof is leaking?" You may need to call in a professional company to assist with this work. Contacting your insurance company is also prudent, especially if the water damage is significant. Finally, after you've managed all of the initial tasks of dealing with the water, it's time to call in an expert to find out what's involved with stopping the leaks in the future.

How Do You Tarp A Roof Leak?

Tarping a roof is a temporary solution to prevent water from entering your home while you wait for a professional to make permanent repairs. Here are the steps to tarp a roof leak:

  1. First, make sure the roof is safe to access. Use a sturdy ladder to climb up to the roof, and wear appropriate safety gear, including a harness and non-slip shoes.
  2. Once you've located the source of the leak, remove any debris or loose materials around the area.
  3. Measure the area that needs to be covered with a tarp. Be sure to add several feet of extra tarp on each side to ensure full coverage.
  4. Lay the tarp over the area and secure it in place with roofing nails or wood strips. Be sure to use a sufficient number of nails or strips to keep the tarp securely in place and prevent it from blowing away.
  5. Cover the edges of the tarp with additional wood strips or sandbags to prevent wind from getting underneath the tarp and pulling it off.
  6. Check the tarp regularly to ensure it remains securely in place and make any necessary adjustments.
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Top view of leaking house roof covered with protective tarp sheets against rain water leaks until replacement of asphalt shingles. Damage of building rooftop as aftermath of hurricane Ian in Florida.

Who Do You Call When Your Roof is Leaking?

When an expert hears the question, "my roof is leaking, what should I do", the resounding answer is that containing the leak is the first priority after discovering a problem. Waiting will only make matters worse, as a leaky roof won't resolve itself.

Once the roof leak is contained, you can take additional steps. It's not advisable for you to repair a roof leak yourself, so calling a professional is the best idea.

At roofclaim.com, we specialize in matching homeowners with contractors. Our process is easy, convenient, and transparent. We start with an inspection of the roof, either by drone or satellite imagery, to determine the issues and damage. Depending on the roof material and the age of the roof, if it's 12 to 15 years old, a full roof replacement may be warranted. From there, we give you options for independent roofing contractors in your area that can perform the work needed. You choose the method and frequency of communication, and you can also track all communication through our app. Sign up today to set up your free inspection or contact us via our convenient online chat.

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RoofClaim is not a licensed public adjuster under section 626.854, Florida Statutes and does not provide services as a public adjuster for insurance claims.
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