When is it appropriate to call in roofing contractors?
Synopsis: Many roof problems develop behind the scenes, allowing them to cause serious damage to your home without you noticing.
You want to make sure your roofs are always in condition or you might want to get it repaired as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, you can’t pre-fix your roof damage problems because many roof problems develop behind the scenes allowing them to cause serious damage to your home without you noticing.
It is important to learn about how to keep your roof in good shape and know some signs that your roof has been damaged and needs repair from roofing professionals. Here are a few of the warning signs that it’s time to call roof repair services that you can use to make sure that your roof and your home are safe from harm.
1. Beware of Water Damage
Water Damage out of others is one of the most easily noticeable signs that the roof in your home needs to be repaired. The water stains or water spots developing on your ceiling means that your roof has been damaged. Water can get into your home in a variety of ways, including loose or damaged shingles or issues with your gutters.
You may want to consider contacting your roof repair professional as soon as you notice the damage. Because when leaks occur, they only get worse, not better.
2. Consider Your Roof’s Age
Considering your roof’s age is one of the most efficient ways to tell if you need roof repair services or not. You will start to notice a tremendous amount of wear and tear as your roof ages. And if you’ve had your home’s roof for a long time, then it may be in dire need of repairs.
A typical lifespan of a home’s roof is twenty years, and if you’ve had your roof for ten years without ever scheduling repairs, then it’s probably time to have it checked by a roofing professional. Having your roof regularly examined and repaired will ensure that it lasts for its entire lifespan.
3.Visible Exterior Damage
Sometimes you may not notice any visible damage on your roof, walls or interiors. To be certain that you’re not delaying roof repairs, you may want to examine your roof from outside until it’s too late. Certain forms of damage will be easy to see, and when you notice these issues, it’s time to call a roofing expert.
First, If you see your shingles being damaged, you should call a roof repair as soon as possible. Damaged shingles can allow moisture into your home, which is a major cause for concern.
Second, If you notice to see dark stains on your roof, it usually means moss or algae accumulation. During this type of damage, resist power washing or scraping the spots away, as it can cause further damage to your roof.
After a quick roof checkup, if you inspect any damage a protective cover must be installed to remediate any further interior and structural damage. Some cases of extreme weather surpass, it may require to emergency tarp the hole in the roof or damaged area until roof repair contractors can asses the damage and propose a more permanent roof repair.
Mother Nature is an incredibly strong opponent for roofing systems. Winds that exceed 50 mph have the force to tear shingles from the roof and expose the substrate. Tree limbs will be torn off, trees can be tossed about like toothpicks, penetrating the structure. Lightning can strike and blow a hole through the roof. Raccoons and squirrels love to chew through rotted wood and create sizable holes in the roof. Fire, of course, will decimate anything in its path.
Tarping Your Roof
To prevent further water damage to your home, emergency tarping your roof is one the best option for emergency roofing repair. The process involves securing a tarp over the damaged section of your room. With great security and structural support, you must attempt to finish an emergency roof leak repair. Usually tarping involves tapping the hole in your roof with the help of a utility knife, measuring tape, a few 2×4 hand-saw, staple guns, and a few nails. However, the process seems to be easy to carry out but this kind of roof leak repair is dangerous, you shouldn’t attempt to finish an emergency roof leak repair on your own. Instead, seek professional help from a qualified contractor.
Though every emergency roofing service is unique, most tarp coverings will last about 90 days. That said, you should aim to finish your roof leak repair as quickly as possible since not even the best tarp will protect your home as efficiently as real roofing materials.
Some of the roof repairs are different from one another. Emergency flat roof repair is very different from a pitched roof leak repair and can be executed during storms. Generally, roof repair involves applying a specifically designed sealing compound as a patch over the damaged roofing. The sealing compound should work when wet, and should not interfere with a proper flat roof repair after the storm is over. If you have a flat roof, it’s best to purchase sealing compounds and other necessary products beforehand as a precaution.
Although flat roof repair is safer than working on a pitched roof during nasty weather, remain cautious. Never attempt to patch your roof during a thunder or lightning storm.
Temporarily stopping a leaking roof can help prevent the damage from becoming more extensive as well as protect the interior of the home, its contents, and its occupants. However, homeowners should not be satisfied that these efforts will be sufficient to allow the luxury of time before the leaking roof is properly repaired; that is once a roof has been weakened, matters will only get worse if you delay in calling a roofing company.
Taking temporary measures to address a leaking roof can provide some relief/protection from water damage, however, more complete and appropriate repairs will be required to restore full integrity to the roof system.
When completing an emergency roof repair service, be on the lookout for scams. Roofing frauds known as “storm chasers” notoriously show up unannounced, promise to fix your roof for a low cost and then disappear without lifting a finger once you’ve paid them. To avoid this pitfall, always ask roofing contractors for proof of a valid license, insurance, and references.