Your home is your safe space where you get to relax after a long day. When you come home to water damage on your ceiling or walls, it can feel like that safety has been stripped away. No one gets excited at the prospect of a roof leak—for most people, it can feel overwhelming and stressful.
If you’ve found a leak in your roof, Daniel Hood Roofing is here to help. We’ve got a quick guide of 7 easy steps you can take to protect yourself and your home in the event of a water leak. This way, you can feel better equipped to handle the situation with a calm and level head.
Protect Your Belongings
When you find rogue water in your home, protecting your personal items and valuables is a top priority. A steady leak can drip water onto your carpets and furniture, and long-term moisture can lead to mold and mildew growth. You want to quickly dry out and rearrange your belongings to prevent these issues.
Move anything that you can out of the way. Shift couches and other large furniture pieces out of the water while still keeping a clear path to safely walk around the room. For carpets and items you can’t move, cover them with a tarp or other waterproof material to protect them from the water.
Contain The Leak
Once your personal items are covered and protected as best as they can be, try to contain the leak as much as possible. This prevents the water from spreading further and causing more water damage throughout your home. Use a towel to mop up any standing water on your floors to keep the area dry. This helps to prevent water damage and keeps you from slipping on a wet floor.
Grab as many buckets, bowls, garbage cans, and plastic containers as you have in your home. Use them to collect water dripping from your ceiling so it doesn’t create a puddle. Be sure to empty these containers when they get full, and keep a rotation of buckets so there’s always one in place.
Relieve Excess Water Pressure
Sometimes, a roof leak can create a bulge in your ceiling where water starts to collect. If this happens, the best thing to do is poke a hole in the lowest portion of the bulge and allow the water to drain. Just be sure to have buckets and towels ready!
But if the water is contained, why mess with it? If the water is left sitting there, it can spread further into your roof and walls and cause extensive water damage. In addition, pressure will start to build as the water pimple gets larger. Eventually, it can burst and scatter water everywhere in your home. The best course of action is to make a small hole so you can relieve the pressure and better control where the water goes.
Tarp The Roof
Now that the inside of your home is protected as best you can, it’s time to take care of the outside. A leaky roof can be caused by a wide variety of issues ranging from a missing shingle to storm damage. While you wait for the professionals to diagnose the issue, you can help prevent further water intrusion by layering a tarp on your roof.
Once your roof is safe enough to climb, lay out a tarp or waterproof material and cover as much of your roof as possible. Look for a tarp that’s at least 6 millimeters thick and can cover the problem area. You can use fasteners or roofing nails to secure it and prevent it from blowing away.
Document The Damages
One of the headaches that comes with a roof leak repair is dealing with your home insurance. One thing you can do to make the claim filing process a little easier is to take pictures of everything. When we say everything, we mean all the damage to your external roof as well as all the water damage inside your home. Take pictures of the water leak, damaged electronics, ruined furniture pieces, and anything else that was damaged by the water.
It may feel a little extreme, but the more photos you can show insurance the better. They’ll work as a paper trail that proves the extent of the damage the leak caused. From roof damage to water-logged electronics, this evidence will help ensure your insurance covers the items you lost.
Consult With a Professional Roofing Company
The most important step is to leave any roof repairs to the professionals. Look for a local roofing company in your area that takes care of roof leaks, and try to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Even minor leaks can lead to significant water damage and mold growth if not addressed quickly. No matter the size of the leak, fast repairs will protect your home and family.
Roof repair services from a professional roofing company ensure the leak is fixed properly the first time. They have the expertise and tools to find the leak and fix it without causing further damage. This also protects any warranties you have on your roofing.
Regular Roof Maintenance
After the leak is patched and your home is water-free, you’re not out of the woods yet. A roof that leaks once is more likely to leak again, and you need to stay on top of roof care to make sure it lasts for years to come. Routine roof maintenance can check for any hidden leaks and make sure the leak patch is holding strong.
Maintenance also includes checking the rest of your roofing system. From gutter inspections to shingle check-ups, these appointments keep your roof strong and healthy while preventing future leaks.
Contact Daniel Hood for Expert Roof Leak Repairs Throughout Eastern Tennessee
A roof leak can flip your entire day around and make you feel like you’re treading water. If it happens to you, it’s important to keep a level head and work to protect your home from further water damage. Simple steps like laying down a tarp or moving furniture can keep your valuables safe. When it comes to roof repairs, leave the dirty work to the experts.
If you need a local roofing company in the Knoxville area, look no further than Daniel Hood Roofing. Our team of roofing experts will protect your home from water damage with a dependable roof defensive line. Contact us today to get a free quote or speak with one of our roofing professionals.
