So Your Roof is Leaking – Now What?

While getting notice of a leaking roof is quite easy, there is never a convenient time to experience a leaking roof.

So how can you know if your roof is leaking? The easiest and most common way to know is by seeing a dark spot develop on your ceiling board. While you shouldn’t panic once you see these spots, they are a clear indication that something is wrong with your roof and you need to swiftly fix the leak.

Remember that your roof is home to a number of items, including electronic wires embedded on the ceiling. So, if you decide to respond quickly, you will not only be preventing the damage caused to your ceiling board but to your electric and plumbing system as well. Even so, you can always seek the services of commercial roofing experts like Rocky Mountain Exteriors, if you are unable to do it yourself.

So, what are the steps you should take once you notice that your roof is leaking? While this might seem quite straight forward, it poses a challenge to many homeowners. These steps will guide you.

Relieve the Pressure on Your Ceiling

Water can have vast damaging effects on your house. One of the most affected areas is the ceiling. Once water leaks through your roof, your ceiling will probably be the only thing holding the water from damaging your interior.

Once you notice the small dark patch forming on your ceiling board, it’s advisable to quickly relieve the pressure on the ceiling by poking a small hole through it. This way, you will be in a better position to control the water, before it pools up.

Remember that the pooling of water can have detrimental effects, not only on your ceiling but on your walls and floor as well. Once water pools on your ceiling, it can swiftly leak into the surrounding walls, damaging any lighting fixtures and wiring as well. Even worse, the pooling can cause your entire roof to collapse.

Find the Source of the Leak

Once you have taken control of the damage on your ceiling board and walls, it’s now time to focus on the source of the leak. However, unlike poking a hole on your ceiling to relieve it of pressure, finding the actual source of the leak can be quite daunting.

To find out the leak, start by heading into your attic if you can reach for it. Once you are in, try to find out for the source by looking at any major gaps, holes, and any other major visible damage to your roof. If you are unable to see any of this, shift your focus to the spot where water is pouring in through the ceiling. However, always remember that although the water might be pouring in through that particular space, the actual leaking area may be concealed.

For a house with a sloped roof, the leak is mostly found on the outside. In this case, you will need to find the leak from the outside, which may be awfully dangerous. It’s recommended that you leave this to the professionals to thoroughly inspect the outside of your roof.

Temporarily Stop the Leaking

Once you successfully identify the leak, go ahead to stop the leaking yourself. This is only a temporary measure to stop any further damage to your ceiling.

But how can you do this? The best way is to use Tarps. Tarps are formidable roofing repair materials that can prevent rainwater from leaking through your roof.  Even so, since tarps should be placed outside, they cannot often be the best choice during a storm.

In such cases, ensure to use a roofing tape or caulk to stop the leak. The good thing about a roofing tape is that you can simply apply it on the leaking roof through your attic. Furthermore, you can simply acquire these items at your local hardware store. Therefore, ensure to have these items in your garage, in case you will need them when your roof leaks.

Call for Professional Help

Once you manage to temporarily stop the leak, you can go ahead to call for professional help. As much as the above tips go a long way in stopping any further damage to your ceiling, seeking the services of a professional roofer goes a long way in ensuring that a permanent solution to your problem is found.

Professionals are always well equipped to access the type of your roof, find the source of the leak and permanently fix the leaking spot. So, you can always trust that your roofer will provide a lasting solution to your roof leaking problem.