Nobody likes the idea of having to deal with a leaky roof. Unfortunately, roof leaks can and do happen, especially if you’ve been putting off calling for roof repair or maintenance. It’s important to know what to do if a roof leak happens to you – and how you can stop it, and prevent it from happening next time. Your local Edmonton and Calgary roofing contractors at A. Clark Roofing and Siding LP are always here to help with all of your roofing needs.
What To Do When You Find a Roof Leak?
The spring time can be exciting, with fresh growth and cleansing rain to wash away the grimness of winter – that is, unless your roof is leaking. Rainy spring and autumn weather is often when leaky roofs get discovered. So what do you do when the rain is causing interior damage to your home or building?
1. Call for help + contain the roof leak
As you contact one or more Edmonton or Calgary roofing companies to get a quote on the repairs, you’ll need to do your best to contain the leak yourself to minimize damage. Place a bucket, trash can, or any sort of large container underneath the leak to keep it from ruining your flooring.
In most cases, a leak will slowly pool at the ceiling until it finds an escape route – usually a penetration point like at a light fixture or heat register. To minimize the damage, find the wettest spot or a bulge in the ceiling and poke a small hole (use a screwdriver or other shar, precise instrument) in the middle and use a bucket to collect the draining water. It may sound counterintuitive to willfully damage your ceiling yourself but creating an easy outlet for the water will stop it from pooling and causing additional damage. If water accumulates and pools, the entire ceiling could collapse, and smaller holes are easier to fix than big ones.
2. Locate the source of the leak
Once you’ve contained the leak, the next step is to locate the source. The entry point of the water is likely going to be somewhere in your attic. Finding the source can help you direct your roof repair experts to the right spot as soon as they arrive, to quickly address the leak. However, if you have trouble finding the source, don’t worry. They’ll have no issues finding it very quickly themselves.
3. Temporary repairs
If you have located the source of the leak and are able to safely access it, perform any temporary repairs that you’re able to do until the professional roofers arrive. Temporary options for short term and immediate leak repairs include roofing cement, roofing tape or a tarp available to cover any leaky sections of the roof is a quick and easy option to control any further leaking until your A. Clark Roofing & Siding LP roofing contractor arrives.
However, if you’re not able to perform repairs, or if you’re just not comfortable with trying, then don’t fret. As soon as your roofing company arrives, they will take care of it. Just do your best to contain the leak until then. Do not climb onto your roof in the rain or without the right safety equipment.
4. Get the leak professionally fixed
A roof leak is not something that you can come up with a permanent DIY solution for. Undertaking a roof repair with no expertise or experience, and without the proper tools and materials, can often do more harm than good. You will ultimately save more money by getting quality and professional repairs done by a certified roofing contractor who can ensure that the leak is fixed for good.
You’re going to need professional roof repair right away, and you can trust A. Clark Roofing and Siding LP to do it right. Our friendly Edmonton and Calgary roofing contractors will perform a thorough inspection and come up with the best solution for you.
Roof Maintenance and How to Prevent Roof Leaks
Keep in mind that a roof which is regularly inspected by a professional roofing company is going to be much less likely to develop leaks and have much lower repair costs if it does. It is a good idea to get your roof checked out after extreme weather such as heavy rains, winds, hail, and snows. Most roofing issues can be prevented just by performing routine maintenance on your rooftop!
Roof leaks happen for a variety of reasons, though the most common is due to the decline of the roof’s quality. To prevent your roof from deteriorating and allowing water to creep inside, you can do a few things:
- Seal it tight – All it takes is one small opening on your roof to allow water inside. Experienced roofers can spot these openings and seal them before they become an issue. The most common areas that need sealing include skylights, chimney flashing, plumbing vents and even satellite installations.
- Damaged or missing shingles – Cracked or broken asphalt shingles and missing shingles compromise your roof’s integrity. If you notice any missing or broken shingles, contact a professional for roof repair right away.
- Take a look in the attic – Inspecting your roof is only half the process; you must inspect the attic too. Look for potential problems, such as signs of water damage (indicating your roof is already leaking), improper ventilation, condensation or bug infestations. If you notice any of these, it may be time to repair your roof.
- Clean your gutters – Gutters are an integral component to the effectiveness of your home’s roof. Not only should they be sloped and installed properly to allow drainage, but they must be cleaned out annually. Debris can cause a gutter to backup and flood into the fascia and roof, damaging it in the process.
- Do a spring cleaning on the roof – Roofing companies can help clean up your rooftop while they are performing repairs. This can include removing branches, leaves, and making sure no trees are overhanging and potentially damaging your shingles.
Your roof needs maintenance just like your car. If you want to prevent leaks, you need to inspect, repair and keep it clean.
Professional Roof Leak Evaluation & Repair
A roof leak, no matter how small, is not something that you should ever ignore and put off fixing for a later date. In just a short period of time, even small leaks can damage ceilings, destroy insulation, framing, and sheathing, and cause mold. Roof leaks are often obvious from ceiling stains, so it is usually possible to take prompt action and stop the leak from getting any worse. The first step is to evaluate the cost of repairs.
If you notice the signs of a roof leak in your Edmonton or Calgary home, or if you just want to get your roofing system checked out after a storm, then our roofing contractors at A. Clark Roofing & Siding LP. can take a look at it for you. With expertise in metal roof, asphalt roof and flat roof leaks, A. Clark is the trusted roofer of choice for Albertan homeowners for more than 70 years. Give us a call and we can schedule an evaluation so that our qualified and experienced roofers can start repairs right away.
