The spring season is finally almost upon us which for much of the country means that the snow will be melting and the amount of rainfall will increase.  The heavy rains of the spring may cause problems around a home such as flooding or a leaking roof and homeowners should be constantly looking out for these problems, especially during a rain storm.  If you discover that your roof is leaking, it is important to take these following actions to prevent water damage in your home.

Leaking Roof Repair Tips and Recommended Actions

Immediately Control the Damage: As soon as the leak is discovered, move any furniture or personal belongings away from the leak to prevent them from getting water damage.  Any items or furniture that is too large to move should be covered with plastic sheets.  Place a leak proof container under the leak to catch the dripping water.

Remove Excess Water: Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping or blot drying wet furniture and carpeting.  Wet carpeting may need to be pulled up to allow the backing and padding to dry and reduce the risk of mold, but this should be done with professional assistance.  Make sure that fresh air is circulating around the wet areas to help promote drying.

Preventing Floods

Contact Your Insurance Provider: If your home has suffered considerable water damage or losses due to a leaking roof, call your insurance provider.  They can typically inspect the damage shortly after the call if your policy covers damage from roof leaks and help begin the water damage restoration process as well as file any claims.

Thoroughly Inspect your Roof: Once the rain stops, inspect your roof for standing water and make sure that all debris is cleared from gutters and downspouts so the water can flow uninterrupted away from the house. Do not forget to inspect all the roofing materials including the shingles and carefully look for the leak while keeping in mind that the leak in the roof may not be directly above where the water is leaking inside.  Call a professional roofer if you are not comfortable going on your roof.

Check the Flashing for Damage: If the leak is not coming from the gutters or downspouts, it could be the result of damaged flashing around the chimneys, vents, and other features of the roof.  Check the condition of the flashing where these features attach to the roof and if they are leaking, they may either need to be replaced or sealed with roof tar.

Check the Attic for Hidden Damage: Sometimes a roof leak may form and go unnoticed for a while before the leak reaches the interior of the home.  Make sure to inspect the attic for hidden damage from the leak by checking roof panels and insulation for wet spots or odors.  Other interior signs of water damage to look for include bulging of the walls and ceilings, peeling paint, and cracked plaster or wall board.

Call an Expert: If you discover that the leak on your roof has caused significant damage to the roof, call a professional roofer to inspect and repair the damage.  If your furniture or personal belongings have sustained water damage due to a leaking roof, contact a water damage restoration specialist to mitigate and repair the damage.

A leaking roof could lead to major structural problems and water damage throughout your home if the problem is not properly addressed.  Make sure to include roof inspections as part of your home maintenance routine to prevent your roof from leaking and the problems it causes.

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.