The roof of your home is designed to be durable and protect everything inside, but the constant exposure to the elements can cause it to weaken over time. This means roof leaks are likely happen to most homeowners at some point. When a roof does leak, this can lead to mold inside the home and needing water damage repair in Springfield Missouri if steps are not taken immediately to prevent this.
Move or Cover Belongings
As soon as the leak is detected, move anything out of the way that could be damaged by the water. Electronics and valuables should be taken to a dry room. Furniture should be moved, if possible, or covered with plastic sheets to protect it from getting wet.
Collect the Leaking Water
While water can be cleaned up with a towel, it’s important to collect any water as it drips to minimize potential damage. Water can quickly cause damage to the flooring, so use buckets to collect the water as soon as the leak is noticed. A piece of string pinned to the ceiling where it’s leaking can help avoid splashing, as the water will travel down the string and go into the bucket.
Release Water Inside Paint Bubbles
Water that gets into the ceiling can get trapped by the paint and cause bubbles. If this happens, use a pin to poke a hole in the bubble and release the water. It’s not a good idea to let the water stay in the ceiling, as it will get very heavy and could cause further damage.
Trace the Leak to Find the Source
Once it’s safe to do so, if there is access to the attic, look inside to see if it’s possible to find out where the leak is coming from. Be careful to avoid parts of the attic that may be weaker, especially when wet. There may be signs of a leak, such as watermarks, stains, or other indications that an area has recently gotten wet.
Finding the Leak May Not be Easy
It is important to remember that finding the leak isn’t always going to be easy. Water can travel along beams that are far from the entry point before becoming noticeable, so the roof leak could be on a different side of the home from where the water is visible. Check common causes for leaking roofs, such as shingles that are deteriorated, flashing that’s missing or damaged, or clogged gutters.
Prevent Further Roof Leaks
To prevent roof leaks that require water damage repair, it’s important to have your roof inspected regularly and to keep the gutters and downspouts cleaned. It is recommended to hire a roof inspection and repair company for these tasks, as they can be dangerous to do on your own.
The repairs for roof leaks often require assistance from professionals, and they need to be done fast. Taking too long can mean significantly more water damage to the home and more expensive water damage repairs. If you’ve ever experienced water damage due to a leaking roof, call the professionals at PuroClean Certified Restoration to do the water damage restoration job right.