A roof’s importance can not be denied. It is the first line of defense against external factors and extreme weather conditions. With time, roofs tend to experience some complications in the form of cracks and damage that results in leakage and water damage. This could be a serious issue if the water keeps leaking as it can cause the cracks to spread and also allow mold growth which will prompt you to consider mold removal services. Moreover, repairing or replacing the roof if the structure is compromised can be a time-consuming task. So, let’s take a look at how you can manage a leaking roof with the help of a few easy tips.
Minimize Interior Damage
The first thing you are going to do when it comes to fixing water damage due to a leaking roof is minimize the interior damage. To do that, you will need to personally track and inspect the cause of the leak. The problem with such leaks is that they travel down to different areas which makes it difficult to find the source.
Since homeowners in such cases are not that familiar with the technicalities of roofs, they do not know where to start from. This means, they will most probably look in the wrong places, which will simply waste time and effort. The best way to get around the issue is by hiring an expert.
The expert will personally inspect the entire roof and try to determine the root cause of the problem. But, before the expert can visit, you should try to minimize the damage the water leak could do to your interior. Believe it or not, water leaks can spread fast and reach the furniture, decorative items, and other objects in the house.
This means you will need to rearrange your valuables or remove them to avoid direct contact with water. If you have a small space and cannot move things around, you should cover them using a plastic cover. Plus, if you notice a bulge in the roof with a bit of water leaking, you should poke a small hole to release the leak. This will also help prevent the leak from spreading and further damaging the wall.
Check The Attic Or Crawlspace
Part of fixing water damage due to roof leaks is investigating the source of the problem. As mentioned earlier, such leaks can travel to and from different sections or areas, making it difficult to track the source of the roof leak. This means that you will need to inspect the attic and roof.
You will need to use a flashlight to spot unusual signs & symptoms in the attic or the roof. Sometimes, there are very minor and subtle signs such as the yellowing of the area where the original leak exists. Plus, you will also need to track the source of the leak.
But that is not an easy task in most cases. You might need to climb the roof and check for leakages. You should be looking for damaged or loose shingles, tiles, or other signs. Even the most minor crack or damage you come across might be causing leakage as well.
Therefore, do not underestimate or ignore it. The looks from the outside might be deceiving but could be causing a lot of damage underneath.
Redirect Leaking Water With A Bottle Funnel
If you are in a situation where the expert is slightly busy and will take a few days to visit, you will need to manage and redirect the leaking water on your own. You can do it using a bottle funnel. All you need to do is grab an empty plastic jug or bottle and cut it in half.
At one end, there will be a wider opening and the other end will have the bottleneck. Next, you will need to grab a hose. Make sure the hose is long enough that it can go from the leaking part of the roof to any exit. Then, use duct tape or another strong adhesive and attach one end of the hose to the bottleneck end of the funnel.
Next, using the same adhesive, position the funnel’s wide end over the leak and attach it securely in place. Finally, you can place the other end of the hose outside a window or door. This will help change the water’s route for the time being and prevent damage to the interior. You should also hire mold remediation Silver Spring services who can tackle mold and fungus.
Investigate The Cause Of The Roof Leak
Before the roof expert can visit your house, you should take some time out to investigate the cause of the roof leak as it will help kickstart the troubleshooting process. Many reasons can cause the roof to leak. As mentioned previously, you can check for missing or damaged shingles.
If that is not the case, you should check for blocked gutters, debris, water pools, and damaged flashing that could be causing the issue. Flashing plays an important part in protecting your house from aging and roof leaks. It happens to be one of the most common causes of roof leakage.
You will need to check the roof joints, corners, edges, and other similar areas of the house closely to be sure if there are leaks. Sometimes, the leaks could be caused due to a minor issue such as missing nails or portions of the roof that have simply aged with time.
Remove Fallen Tree Limbs And Sweep Away Standing Water
If your house is surrounded by trees and you just experienced a thunderstorm, dead leaves and branches likely end up on the roof. In some cases, due to strong winds, large branches can break and end up on the roof causing significant damage.
Once the weather has calmed down, you should let the roof dry out a bit and then climb on the roof. Remove any fallen tree limbs and sweep away standing water. If you ignore such factors, your roof will start to leak. Although, roofs can withstand pools of water for some time but not for too long.
Before you even know it, water will seep into the house through other passages and make it a lot more difficult for you to contain the problem.
Try To Fix Minor Cracks Or Damage
If the leakage happens to be minor at the time you spot it, you might be able to fix it on your own by purchasing some off-the-shelf items and simply following the instructions mentioned. But, if you find out that the cracks or damage is significant, you should do the opposite i.e. simply try to contain the leak and wait for an expert.
You might think spending on an expert will simply be a waste of money but you might not have the tools, expertise, and skills to handle the issue. Therefore, an expert will do it a lot better and with a guarantee of fixing the issue from the root cause.
Conclusion
In the end, managing and fixing a roof leak can be complicated at times. These tips will help you be a step ahead and manage the issue if not fix it. But you must get your roof checked by a roofer and also get the services of water damage restoration Rockville experts to protect your house and belongings.
