A dripping ceiling in the dead of night is every homeowner’s nightmare. Do you rush to fix it or hope it holds till morning? Overlooking a leak isn’t wise, but emergency repairs range from mildly inconvenient to overwhelming, disruptive, or impossible for the homeowner alone to deal with. In this guide, we’ll help you decide when to call for help and how to ensure your home’s safety.
What is considered a Roof Repair Emergency?
The roof of your house serves as a first line of defense against the corrosive effects of wind, sun, and rain. Having a sound roof at all times is essential, and events can occur that jeopardize the stability of your roof. Single events like lightning strikes or powerful hurricane gusts can cause immediate damage to your roof, while gradual damage from sources such as unnoticed rodents might slowly inflict significant harm. Whenever a crisis occurs, the cause often takes a back seat; it’s time to assess and deal with the emergency at hand.
Types of Emergency Roof Leaks and Damage
If you have any of the following forms of roof damage, we recommend you call an emergency roofer immediately.
Water Damage
Water damage is a common and serious problem that often requires immediate attention when it affects your roof. This issue can result from various factors, such as extreme weather events like hurricanes, heavy rainfall or snowfall, or the gradual wear and tear of roofing materials over time. The tricky thing about water damage is that it can sneak into your home’s interior without you even realizing it, seeping into joints, under shingles, and even getting inside flashing, potentially causing unnoticed harm.
Pest Damage
Do you have trees or other tall structures near your house? If you do, mice or other small rodents like squirrels, chipmunks, or even rats can make their way onto your roof. Once up there, they can swiftly chew through roofing materials or search for tiny openings to gain access to your attic. Despite their small size, rodents and other pests can cause significant damage in a short amount of time, potentially requiring immediate emergency roof repair.
Storm Damage
If your area frequently experiences severe weather, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, or a lot of snow, your roof may eventually sustain storm damage. After a period of substantial precipitation, regularly inspect your roof to confirm that the flashing and other elements are firmly in place and that no shingles have been dislodged. This proactive approach can aid in averting roof leaks.
Wind Damage
The same is true of wind. Shingles sometimes blow off in strong winds, exposing the underlying wooden structure to the weather and rain. This may eventually result in frailty, bulge, or even wood rot, resulting in a roof leak.
Ignoring Roof Maintenance
The biggest cause of emergency roof repairs is a lack of regular roof inspection. You won’t discover faulty pieces like damaged channels, broken shingles, or faulty flashing if you don’t inspect your roof regularly. This will eventually cause a roofing emergency, so keep a consistent roof maintenance routine to protect yourself from emergency roof repairs.
Fire Peril
Roof components are rarely the cause of fires, but a roof will certainly be damaged during one. In the aftermath of a house fire, roof damage might be immediately apparent or it might make surprise entrance later.
When Should You Get Emergency Repairs?
It’s understandable to feel overwhelmed when you recognize that your roof leak qualifies as an emergency. However, it’s essential to stay composed and follow these steps to address the issue effectively:
Determine The Severity
Is the threat so great that you should leave the house with your family? It is best to evacuate your family and any pets if there is a chance that the roof will collapse or if water is flooding your home, but not every emergency will be this severe.
Avoid DIY Repairing
DIY emergency roof repair can cause significant risks for both you and your insurance policy. Never attempt to patch or cover a leaky roof. Never climb onto a damaged roof, not even to do a quick repair. Numerous threats could arise, including falling from the roof or even through the roof and entering the house. By attempting to fix roof problems independently, you can also void your homeowner’s insurance coverage. One thing you can do to be proactive while you wait for a professional roofer is to attempt to identify and document the leak or other damage.
Call a Roofer
You can call roofers even in the middle of the night as many of them provide 24/7 emergency roof repair service. It is best to avoid untrained or unqualified roofers that appear in your area during a storm and offer dubious repair work. If you choose a roofer with a roofing license and adequate insurance, you should get better-quality repairs.
Call Your Insurance Company
Calling your homeowner’s insurance provider is the next step in filing a claim. You can also ask the roofer to take pictures of the damage and assist you with filing a claim if you decide to contact your insurance provider. They might be able to compile a report detailing the harm your roof has endured.
Schedule Repairs
You should schedule roof repairs as soon as your insurance claim is authorized. Remember, if the damage is bad enough, you might be better off having your roof replaced. If your roof is over ten years old, your roofer might advise a replacement rather than repairs.
Repair Your Roof Anytime With WABO Roofing
Most roof damage requires professional help, as roofs are inherently risky places for amateurs. Considering the critical role roofs play in ensuring your home’s safety and security, it’s vital to ensure that all work is done correctly. That’s why WABO Roofing recommends hiring specialists for all but the most basic emergency roof repairs. When we arrive, we’ll assess your roofing system and promptly make the necessary emergency repairs to prevent further damage to your building
