What to Do When a Roof Leak Floods a Home

A roof leak can be caused by many things. Usually, leaks form due to old, corroded pipes that end up with holes in them. Pipes can also loosen at their connection and cause a leak due to high water pressure. At times, drains can get clogged and create pressure which causes leaks in the joints of the pipes. Another potential cause of roof leaks is rain coming in through vulnerabilities on the roof. No matter what has caused water to leak from your roof or ceiling, you need to act fast to prevent major damage including ceiling collapse.

What to do if water is leaking through your ceiling?

If you notice that your ceiling is showing signs of swelling, bubbling, or brown rings, this is a sign that you have a leak. If you in fact don’t see any of these signs but water starts leaking from your ceiling, it is important to know what to do. Here are some tips:

1.  Contain the water:

Use a container to collect the water. You can also use a piece of cloth or an old shirt to line the container to stop the water from splashing out when it reaches the container.

2. Move items out of the way:

Make sure to move any items in your home that you do not want to get wet out of the path of where the water is leaking. You can also use plastic covers or tarp to cover any items you want to save or if the item is too heavy to move.

3. Mop up the water on the floor:

If you have water that has collected on the floor, make sure to mop it up or soak it up with towels. This will help prevent further damage to the floor.

4. Make a small hole in the ceiling to help with drainage of water:

To help the water leak out quicker and not weigh down the building materials, you can create a small hole in the ceiling so that the water continues draining downward. You can use a screwdriver and make the small hole in the middle of the bubbling or dark spot and make sure to have a container under the hole to catch the water.

5. Make sure to call a professional plumber or roofer to fix the leak:

If you are unsure where the leak is coming from, a good sign is the weather outside. If it is raining, that means you have a roof leak. If it is not raining outside, that means you have a plumbing leak. You need to make sure that the leak gets fixed as soon as possible. If you do not repair the ceiling leak, it can spread further can cause more damage.

What damage can be caused by leaking roof?

If a leaking roof is not fixed, it can cause major discoloration when the water seeps into the roof underlay, beams, and even when it leaks down your ceiling and walls. However, additional damage can be caused by mold and mildew and rotting of the wood structure due to water damage. This can also affect the electrical system, causing it to short out which can damage your electronics.

If you have a leaky roof, do not wait to fix it. The more time you wait, the more water will seep into all areas of the roof structure and cause further damage. Make sure to reach out to a professional roofer right away and have them start the repairs to prevent additional damage that may become permanent.

Can a water leak cause structural damage?

Leaks can cause major damage to the structure of your property, so you want to make sure to avoid water damage as much as possible. Whether the leak comes from an old bathtub or a leaky pipe, it will cause damage to your property that will be costly and can ruin your personal belongings. Here are some examples:

• If the leak happens in the walls, it can keep happening for months before you notice. Water can get absorbed into wood and insulation and cause structural damage.
• A pipe leak can cause damage to ceilings, carpets, and hardwood floors. When you have a leak in your home, it can leave permanent water stains and even cause mold and mildew which can be harmful for your health. Finally, a leaky pipe can cause structural damage.
• Sometimes leaks come from the outside such as via cracks in the foundation, poor sealing of doors or windows, and even poor water runoff in your yard. Therefore, you need to make sure that your home is insulated properly, and you have water runoff that is directed away from the home.

Make sure that your insurance policy covers water damage. If there is an exclusion for water damage, be aware that you may have to cover the expenses caused by the water. As a homeowner, it is very important to be proactive about any possible water leaks in your home. Even a small leak can cause major damage and be costly. If you have a leak, do not ignore it but make sure it gets fixed right away.

Is your leaking roof an emergency?

There are few ways to determine if your leaking roof is an emergency that must be taken care of right away. You may require emergency repair to your roof if the damage was caused by extreme weather and part of your home is exposed to the elements, part of the ceiling is caving in, or it has a major leak. Emergency roof repairs are done when the roof damage has a major effect on your living conditions, or the house is uninhabitable. Some additional reasons you may require emergency roof repair include:

• If a big area of your roof is missing shingles, this can result in major damage to the materials underneath.
• Moisture can get into the attic if there is rotting in the roof deck, or if it has improper ventilation or moisture issues. This can be a structural hazard and needs to be repaired immediately.
• If your home is exposed to the elements due to missing shingles or the whole roof has fallen into the home, it is considered an emergency and should be repaired right away.

Here are some examples of roof leaks that are not considered an emergency. Please keep in mind that you should always analyze what the cost of putting off repairs to your roof will be in the long run before you decide on whether it is an emergency or not.

• If your roof is missing shingles, determine how many are missing and if the roof is uncovered and you can decide if it requires immediate attention or not.
• If the leak does not affect your daily routine or the inhabitants of the home, check on how fast the leak is dripping. If it is dripping fast, that may be considered an emergency, as opposed to very slow which may be a small leak and less of an emergency.

How long can you leave a leaking roof?

Whether your roof leak is considered an emergency or not, you do not want to sit on repairing it for too long. There is not a right or wrong answer on how long you can leave your roof with the damage without fixing it. If you have a major leak and water comes out in heavy streams to your interior, it is important to schedule a repair to your roof to prevent further damage. Also, be aware that if you leave a leaking roof for too long, it can cause major structural damage to your property which may end up costing more then the original leak.

How to restore furniture, books, and documents after the house is flooded from a roof water leak?

You should always call a professional roofing company to restore your items after a roof water leak. They will ensure that any damages to your roof are fixed. You should also contact a water damage restoration company which will work with your insurance company to get your property and personal belongings restored. Most restoration companies can work on the restoration of your personal items right on-site if possible, however depending on the extent of the damage, that may not be possible, and your items may have to be taken to an off-site facility for repairs and restoration. The water damage restoration company will be able to repair most of your belongings including books, documents, hard drives etc., however that may depend on the level of water damage for the specific item.

Have you experienced a roof leak at your home or business? Make sure you call a trusted water damage restoration professional right away.

About Vince Sandri

Vince Sandri is a content writer and blogger with more than 12 years of experience. His expertise is in creating content related to disaster restoration, including information about preventing and reacting to natural disasters like flooding, water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold growth, storm damage and more.
Vince has been the main contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com since 2014. Over that time, he has written numerous service pages and blogs for disaster restoration providers featured on RestorationMasterFinder.com. Vince has done extensive research and covered a wide range of topics relating to disaster restoration to help homeowners, business owners, and property managers better protect their property. He understands the problems that disasters like flooding, fire, smoke, and mold can cause as well as the best ways to respond to these issues to limit the damage.
Vince completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Aurora University and his master’s degree at DePaul University. He has been writing SEO website pages, blogs, and press releases since 2012. Vince is also a musician and can be seen playing in the Chicago, IL area.