Unfortunately, the most likely time to discover your roof has a leak is during a heavy rainstorm. You are cozy inside, sheltering from the rain, dry and protected from the storm outside – or so you thought! Then suddenly you have water coming into your living room, or, as Murphy’s Law would have it, dripping onto an expensive piece of furniture. A leaking roof is a scary situation, and you need to act fast to minimize the damage.
We’ll give you a quick guide on what to do through the whole journey – the moment you notice the leak, when you’re working with professionals, and taking care of things after the repair.
1. Damage Control
Do I need a contractor? Depending on the severity of the leak, you may want an electrician to inspect your wiring before you turn the power back on.
2. Contain the Water
Unfortunately, there may be more water pooling above your head than you can currently see! Here’s how to contain it.
Do I need a contractor? Definitely – we’ll get to that in the next section.
3. Remove the Water
Time to dig out all your old towels and dry out the area as much as possible to prevent water damage.
Do I need a contractor?If there’s extensive water damage, you’ll want to call a water extraction company sooner rather than later.
1. Check the attic (if it’s safe)
2. Call your insurance company
It’s important to tell your insurance company about the damage as soon as possible, and certainly before you commit to any repair work. Check your deductible and the terms of your coverage so you know what to look for when you get estimates.
3. Call a trustworthy roofing company (or three)
Get an estimate from your roofing company, if you already have one you like. If not, get estimates from two or three companies to find a team that’s reputable and responsible. You can also see our blog post on how to choose the best roofing company.
If you see a leak, no matter how small, please get in touch with a roof repair company as soon as possible! Water can quickly do a lot of damage to the structural integrity of your home, and by the time you notice it, it may have been damaging your attic for quite some time. Mold could be growing, or a whole section of ceiling might be ready to collapse.
When the roof needs to be repaired, there are a number of reasons you need a reputable roofing company to help you:
That depends on what caused the leak. Typically, insurance covers repairs for leaks that are beyond your control (like storms and falling branches), but not for things you could have controlled (like regular maintenance). Specific examples are shown in the image below. That’s why it’s so important to stay on top of your roof maintenance and repairs!
We wish we could give you a simple answer! Unfortunately, the price range for roof repairs is incredibly wide: anything from $150 for a simple repair to upwards of $10,000 for a complete new roof. The average cost 150 consumers reported paying was $675, but that doesn’t include other services you might need, like an electrician or a cleaning company.
Designer Roofing offers free estimates, and we’re always glad to give you our honest opinion so you have complete transparency on what needs to be fixed and what the costs will be.
The reason it’s so important to act quickly when you notice a leak is because water can damage so many parts of your home.
Structural damage can include damaged rafters, ceiling joists, wall framing and fascia boards. A chronic leak can lead to wood rot and deterioration, which is expensive to repair.
Ceilings and walls can be damaged. Check your drywall surfaces for dark areas or bubbles. Light fixtures on walls and ceilings need to be checked as well.
Water damage can create a breeding ground for mold. Mold is a serious health risk, and with even just a small amount of water, mold can take root and grow in as little as 48 hours. Removing mold can be expensive, so you’ll want to treat it before it spreads through the house. This may be covered by your homeowners insurance, depending on what caused the leaking roof.
Remember, your roof can be leaking long before water starts dripping into your home. If you think there may be a leak, check for these common signs:
It’s not all doom and gloom! This has been a pretty dispiriting blog post, but with the right installation and maintenance, the odds are that your roof will protect your home and family for a long time.
Regular maintenance will help with early detection and ultimately keep the costs down by proactively fixing any potential problems before they end up as expensive damages. Once a year, check your attic, inspect the roof from the ground, and keep an eye on any trees that may need to be trimmed back. Make sure your gutters and downspouts aren’t clogged, and look out for signs of wear and tear on your shingles. And if you need a maintenance check, we’re always happy to come out and give you our honest opinion!
Call 972-644-6556 or Contact Us today for a free estimate!
All I can say is – dealing with Aaron Lenhart and Designer Roofing of Texas was excellent. Aaron and his people were professional, knowledgeable and nice to work with every step of the way.
I felt their price was fair and they delivered exactly as promised. What more can you ask for in the real world? They started on time, ended on time and the house looks great with the new style of tile. I have referred a few friends to them since then and so far, everyone has been pleased!
The roof is fantastic and I really appreciate Designer Roofing’s hard work and professionalism throughout the process. It was absolutely the right decision for my project. Feel free to hand out my information as a reference for your company should anyone ask, I am happy to help.
Robert G. Paul
Division President, Dallas – Fort Worth – Austin, Toll Brothers, Inc.
I was impressed throughout with Designer Roofing’s professionalism, experience and knowledge of the business. As my agent, you worked with my insurance company to get their approval, and I was delighted to see that you ordered specialized pictures of the house to make it easier for the insurance company to assess the damage and approve.
Your team was experienced and they worked with a good work ethic to get the job done very quickly. This was key since you did not use novices to install the specialized Gerard stone coated steel roof. Your team was well trained: they covered the pool and daily used a magnet to clear the home premises of any metallic materials.
You had no hesitation in ensuring my complete satisfaction, and sent in the experts to fix a couple of minor things that I wanted changed. Please accept my gratitude and congratulations for a job well done and a super service!! I shall be happy to recommend you and your company to anyone without hesitation.
We just wanted to drop you note and tell you how much we enjoy the new roof. The style we chose with your help looks great. More importantly, the service of you and your team was outstanding. Your crew was attentive to the details and cleaned up well each and every day. And, to top it off, you started and finished when you said you would. Job well done!
We were battered by the windstorm of April 2008, which tore down our entire fence, a beautiful 10-year old tree, and a huge section of our composition roof.
Designer Roofing came to our rescue and immediately patched the roof to prevent further weather damage. Despite a heavy workload brought on by the storm, Designer Roofing proceeded to replace our entire roof as soon as was possible. They replaced all fixtures and chimney flashings to perfectly match our new roof color, too.
Designer Roofing was very professional throughout the job, helping us understand the re-roofing process, eagerly answering our every question, and giving us the greatest value for our insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs. If we ever need a new roof again, Designer Roofing will be #1 on our list, and we would gladly recommend them to friends and family alike!