Water damage is a serious issue you cannot overlook or underestimate in your home. There are many potential reasons for water damage, including a leaky roof. If you suspect that there is a leak in your roof, you should immediately take quick and proactive steps to identify where the leak is coming from and stop it to avoid serious water damage to your home and the grave consequences associated with it. Apart from personal property damage, a leaky roof can cause you roofing, insulation, and ceiling to get damaged. As well, water seepage through your roof can cause mould and mildew growth that can trigger allergies and other health issues.
Outlined below are the steps you should take if you suspect that your roof is leaking.
1. Reduce Interior Water Damage
Some of the signs that may have alerted you that your roof is leaking include a damp ceiling, wet floor or carpet, black spots on your ceiling or wall, rotten fascia boards and so on. But, if the leakage is visible in your home’s interior living space, remove all personal property including furniture, wall art and other personal belongings in the area or at the very least cover them with plastic sheets. Try and dry up any pooling water to prevent mould growth and further damage.
2. Contact a Roofing Contractor
It will be best to contact a roofing contractor first before you call your insurance company. The leak may be minor and the overall damage may not be that severe. Getting an expert’s opinion before contacting your insurance company gives you the chance to decide if paying the deductible versus the total cost of the repair is worth making the claim. Also, many insurance companies will request an estimate from a roofing contractor for your claim file. Finally make sure you contact a roofing contractor that is an expert in your roofing material. If you have metal roofing, a roofer that is only use to working with asphalt shingles may not be able to properly assess and correct the issue.
3. Inspect the Roof to Detect the Leaking spot(s)
Before the roofing contractor arrives, look around your home for pooling water or damp areas on the ceiling. If you are comfortable going up to your attic and inspecting for signs of water entry, you can help the roofing contractor find and fix the issue quicker. The roofing contractor should check your entire roof, both the interior and exterior to detect any issues or any future issue spots. Discovering all the issues on the first visit will enable the roofing contractor to provide a more accurate estimate for insurance purposes in the event of massive damages.
4. Call Your Insurance Company
After the leaking spots have been identified and the extent of the damage has been determined, now you should call your insurance agent, especially if the damage is extensive. Submit the repair estimate prepared by the roofing contractor. Follow the instructions given by the agent until the issues are resolved and your roof is repaired.
If you suspect that your roof is leaking or find signs of water damage in your home, there is not time to waste. Call a professional roofing contractor to help identify the leak and stop it, even if it is just a temporary fix waiting for insurance to approve the proper repair. The longer it takes to get the leak under control, the more potential damage can be caused to your home.
