If you take good care of a roof, it will last more than a lifetime.
One of the oldest roofs in the US dates back to the 1600s.
While it’s unlikely any original pieces of the Fairbanks House remain, through careful inspections, maintenance, and repairs, the roof has withstood the elements for centuries.
Of course, not every roof is this well-looked after.
Incidents like roof leaks in heavy rain can do considerable damage.
If you don’t know how to respond to leaks, your roof won’t even survive the century.
So what should you do if your roof has a leak? Read on to learn more.
You Need to Take Action
If you’re faced with roof leaks in heavy rain, you need to take action.
By acting quickly, you can potentially save your house from significant damage.
The first step is to figure out exactly where the water is coming from.
Unless the leak is fairly small, it shouldn’t be too difficult to find the source.
Once you know where the leak is, you should get containers to catch the water.
If the leak is big enough or if there’s water coming from multiple locations, you might need to get creative.
Gather things like coolers, buckets, ice chests, flower pots, and serving trays.
The more water you can stop leaking into your home, the better.
This will prevent more extensive water damage.
If you can see the ceiling bulging in any spot around the leak, it means there’s water pressure building up.
This kind of pressure can cause serious structural damage.
To prevent this, carefully and slowly puncture the ceiling at the bulge to relieve the excess water.
Consider a Temporary Fix
If the rain is heavy enough, roofs could be leaking across your neighborhood and beyond.
This means getting a roofer in to assess the damage could take some time.
In the meantime, you should try a temporary fix.
One option is to put a tarp over the roof.
It’s not a particularly elegant solution, but a heavy-duty tarp can do a fine job of keeping the affected area dry.
For smaller leaks, it might be possible to seal the crack using roof sealant.
You might also be able to use roofing tape or a patch kit.
But, sometimes you won’t be able to find all the cracks.
When in doubt, go with the tarp.
Keep the House Dry
Water damage isn’t something to be taken lightly.
Water leaking into your home could cause irreparable damage to electronics, but everything is vulnerable.
This water isn’t like water from the tap; rainwater will stain everything it touches.
If the water reaches your mattress, you’ll have a permanent dirty stain.
To prevent this kind of damage, you’ll need to act fast.
You should move any furniture that might be in the leak’s path.
Of course, this advice only goes so far as some furniture can’t be moved.
In that case, you should cover the furniture in plastic sheets.
If water starts to build up inside the house, you should take measures to dry the wet areas.
Using something like a dehumidifier in the affected room is ideal, but in a state like Arizona, you most likely don’t own one. In that case, fans are a suitable, albeit less effective alternative.
Take Safety Seriously
While it’s important to take quick action when fixing or preventing roof leaks, you shouldn’t forget about safety.
For example, be aware of any potential electrical hazards.
If water is leaking into a room, unplug any electronic devices in that room, or better yet, shut off the electricity supply.
If you need to go up on the roof to inspect the damage, attach a tarp or make temporary repairs, always ensure safe ladder use.
Ladders should be properly secured before you climb them.
If you’re in doubt about the safe operation of your ladder, consult the instructions from the manufacturer.
Be cautious of slippery surfaces.
If your ladder is outside, it’s likely soaked by the same rain that damaged the roof.
Always ensure you have suitable grip on the ladder before you ascend to a risky height.
Avoid walking on the roof, as it will be slippery in the rain.
If you have any doubts about going up to the roof yourself, wait for the professionals.
Call for Emergency Roof Repair
As soon as you notice any signs of roof damage, immediately book an inspection from a professional roofer.
When contacting a roofer, providing pictures of the damage can help.
Unfortunately, some roofers may overcharge, particularly after heavy rains.
Thankfully, you can catch roofers inflating their prices by getting quotes from multiple companies.
If the prices are consistent, it suggests the companies are quoting reasonable prices.
You’ll also need to take the time to document the damage.
Assuming you have insurance, contact your insurance company as soon as possible to file a claim.
Future Damage Prevention
Often, you’ll find your leak could’ve been avoided if you’d been more diligent with maintenance.
It’s not uncommon for a roofer to inspect the damage and conclude the roof was seriously behind on its upkeep.
In the future, get frequent inspections from a professional roofer.
Not only will this prevent the inconvenience of having water streaming into your home, but it will also save you money.
Fixing small issues is almost always cheaper than emergency repairs.
Preventive maintenance is so effective, that getting regular roof inspections is probably the most important of the roof maintenance tips.
If You’re Facing Roof Leaks in Heavy Rain, You Need a Pro
If you’re experiencing roof leaks in heavy rain, you’ll need help from a pro roofer.
Tarps and amateur seal jobs might work in the short term, but the only way to know you’re reliably protected is by having a pro take a look.
Are you looking for honest, dependable, and helpful roofing services in Arizona? JLC Roofing Company is a family-owned Arizona roofing company with over three decades of roofing experience.
If you have roofing troubles, contact us today, and you’ll soon see that our A+ BBB rating is well deserved!
Are You in Need of Roof Repair Near Me?
For more than 20 years, the team at JLC Roofing has been dedicated to providing a 5-star roofing experience to each of our clients.
Contact Us Today at (623) 878-9832 Or request an estimate online for your roof repair needs!