What Do You Do When Your Roof Is Leaking And The Potential Dangers Behind Waiting
The last thing anyone ever wants to see in their home is water dripping from their ceiling. Regardless of whether you come home to find the leak or you are home when it starts, it’s important you take action immediately to prevent additional damage to your house.
Contain the Leak
If you notice that water is dripping down from a bulge in the ceiling or that there is discoloration in the ceiling, there is a good chance that there is pooling water on the other side of that discoloration or bulge. Grab a trash can or bucket and place it beneath the drip. You might want to prop a board up inside the bucket or trash can so that the water will hit the board instead of the water that accumulates inside the container, minimizing the dripping sound—which can get annoying over time.
Your next step is to locate the middle of the bulge, grab a screwdriver, and puncture the bulge directly in the center of it. While this may seem strange to you, this hole that you create will relieve pressure on the remainder of your ceiling and let the water drain smoothly. If you don’t do this, water will simply continue to accumulate and pool, and eventually, the ceiling could collapse.
If you feel confident in the location of the actual leak and feel that you can get to the source safely, you can cover the exterior with a large tarp. If you are unable to reach it or don’t feel safe doing so, you should get in touch with a roofing contractor immediately. Most roofing contractors offer emergency tarping services. And if your leak is a result of the weather, since a professional is unable to repair the leak until the weather stops, the tarping will serve as a temporary fix to minimize interior household damage.
An experienced roofing contractor will perform a comprehensive inspection of the roof—from the exterior and the interior of your home. In some cases, examining the roof sheeting from below can show indications of water damage, although this is not a foolproof method; therefore, it is important that the roof is inspected for damage as well.
Dangers of Waiting
It is imperative that you act immediately when you have or suspect that you have a roof leak. Leaky roofs won’t improve nor will their fix themselves without intervention—and this remains true even if the leak hasn’t gotten bad yet. It is important that it is repaired now. It isn’t uncommon that we hear homeowners tell us that they noticed a discoloration on their ceiling or some bubbling, but they just assumed that it wasn’t serious and didn’t need to worry about it.
Ignoring issues like these won’t solve the problem. In fact, more often than not, by the tie that you notice interior damage, it’s already too late. It is recommended that your roof be inspected twice per year—during the spring and fall—by the National Roofing Contractors Association. Here is what you need to keep your eyes out for when it comes to preventing fixable issues from turning into expensive, damaging repairs.
On the Interior:
- Dark spots
- Sagging
- Area where you see light from the outside
On the Exterior:
- Clogged/slow-draining gutters and downspouts
- Missing, rotting, warped, peeling, blistering, broken, or buckling shingles
- Loose material or damaged around vents or chimneys
If your roof is less than 15 years old, then you can likely get by with spot repairs rather than a complete replacement. However, you must keep in mind that small leaks don’t just go away on their own; they will get worse if they aren’t treated.
Also, remember that roof leaks are often signs of significantly larger issues. Both the chances of structural erosion and danger increase if the leak is left unaddressed. The best defense against a roof leak is a routine inspection. Remain vigilant, look for leaks, and speak to your roofing contractor about your roof’s condition regularly.
For more information, contact us at C and K Roofing.