Water is life – except when it floods your house from above! Roof leaks are a common problem, needing swift and professional intervention to protect your building, possessions and family.
When you notice a leak, there are six Cs you need to follow to manage the situation and minimize damages. Let’s take a look at all of these.
Clear the area
Firstly, you need to move things away to protect any belongings that might be affected by the leak. Refuse bags, PVC tablecloths, and tarp sheets can come in handy for furniture that is fixed or too heavy to move. You want to prevent mildew, rot and other forms of water damage at all costs, so act as soon as you notice the issue.
Contain the water
Contain the water
Catch the incoming water to prevent flooding and damage to floors: place buckets, bins, pots or any other containers underneath the leaks. Spread out towels to absorb any overflow.
Curtail ceiling pressure
Curtail ceiling pressure
The next step is to relieve the water pressure on the ceiling. If the ceiling is drooping in places, water is collecting in that spot. It may seem counter-intuitive, but if you notice a sagging bump hanging from above, you will need to pierce it to let the water out. If you do not act, the water will spread and cause even more significant ceiling damage. Or the water collection site may erupt on its own and make an uncontrollable mess inside the building. With a screwdriver, carefully drill a hole at the lowest point of the sagging bulge (more than one puncture may be required) while holding a bucket under the area to catch the water.
Capture evidence
Capture evidence
Throughout the process, you need to take photos for insurance purposes. Document the extent of the roof damage and the consequent destruction to other parts of the building and your belongings as evidence. This will help when claiming from your home insurer.
Call an expert
Call an expert
A leaking roof is a big deal, and homeowners are advised to use professional roofers to fix the problem successfully. This task needs to be done as soon as possible and is too heavy of a risk to take on yourself.
Counteract future leaks
Counteract future leaks
Lastly, prevent future leaks by maintaining your roof.
- Regularly clean and repair gutters.
- Trim trees that might damage the roof
- After storms, inspect your roof tiles for damage.
- Ensure that your roof is professionally waterproofed.
- Get an experienced team to do regular maintenance check-ups.
Do you need help fixing your leaky roof? Is your roof well-maintained and thoroughly waterproof to weather the winter? Whether maintenance or repairs, Coastal Waterproofing and Painting are on top of it – literally. We use the latest technology and years of experience to keep roofs leak-free and looking great. Let us know if you need assistance.
