How can you tell if a roof problem is considered an emergency and needs immediate repair? Well, regardless of how big a roof leak is, any damage that allows moisture to infiltrate your home needs immediate or emergency repairs.
The problem with fixing roof leaks is that homeowners on their own,might not notice roof leaks until the dripping water reaches other parts of the home. As a rule of thumb, you should always schedule a roof inspection after a storm or any extreme weather event for that matter. Remember: no matter how durable your roof is, it’s bound to suffer some form of damage after an extreme weather event. And, left unattended, even relatively minor roof damage can affect other parts of your home.
Call your contractors right away – they’ll inspect your home as soon as the weather clears up. In the meantime, it’d be a good idea to take pictures of roof damage. Before processing your claims, your insurer will need proof the damage to your roof was caused by damaged, not any negligence on your part. Also, avoid attempting to fix any leaks yourself as you might unintentionally cause further damage. Remember: it’s best to leave roof repair and maintenance work to the professionals.
Extensive roof damage can’t be repaired in one day so contractors will cover leaks with a tarp to prevent water from further damaging your roof. They’ll then do a more comprehensive inspection in the coming days.
Make sure to vet contractors before hiring them – it takes a trained eye to spot the subtle signs of roof damage after all. Here’s a vetting tip: the number of years a contractor has been working in the industry should give you a good idea of the person’s level of expertise.
Roof Masters, a locally owned company with over 20 years’ worth of experience, offers a wide range of professional roofing services. To request an estimate, you can call us at (301) 230-7663 or fill out our form here. We serve homeowners in Montgomery County, MD, as well as the surrounding communities.
