Your roof is designed to keep your home dry and protected from all types of weather. If your damaged roof begins to leak, it is important to act immediately, as dripping water could lead to water stains, mold, and other issues. Water damage is also expensive to repair, costing $2,386 on average. Removing standing water alone costs $2,688. While this is significantly less than wind damage, at $5,757, and fire and smoke damage at $4,172, is is still a major concern. If your roof leaks, be sure to take these steps to prevent costly damage.
Address the interior leak.
Before you do anything, be sure to take care of the dripping water on the inside of your home. Setting up a bucket is usually efficient, but keep an eye on the leak while you wait for roof service professionals to arrive.
Call a roof repair company.
Once you have addressed the more immediate damage threat, call a professional. Be sure to choose a roofing company that is able to address immediate concerns, as they should have tools like an emergency tarp service. Once they arrive, they will be able to inform you of the best roofing repair and maintenance plan.
Inform your insurance company.
Be sure to call your insurance company as soon as possible, as they might want to send someone to inspect the damage and take photos. By showing them the full extent of the damage, they will be able to better handle your claim.
Remove standing water.
If you have a severe leak, there might be standing water in different parts of your home. While you might be caught up in organizing repair and insurance information, be sure to make time to clean this up as soon as possible. Consider hiring a professional if the water is too much for you to handle on your own.
Inspect for more home damage.
While the roofing company will address immediate needs and provide an emergency tarp service until the roof is functional again, be sure to keep other home structures in mind. Make sure that your gutters and downspouts are completely clear to encourage water drainage.
While addressing roof leaks is stressful, you can prevent stress down the line by staying calm and taking all of the right steps immediately. A good roofing company will be able to address these concerns and answer any questions that you may have, so be sure to communicate openly.