Roof water damage can be a messy and discouraging thing to deal with, especially when it leads to various other roof related issues. It’s just something that many homeowners don’t anticipate until the damage has been done. Before water damage makes its claim on your roof, here are a few things you should know about and watch for in dealing with water damage.
Roof Inspection
Even before the possibility of roof water damage occurs, or your roof is showing signs of other problems, it’s a good idea to have your roof inspected. Builders associations strongly suggest it to prevent future roof difficulties. Call out a licensed professional to help you determine what, if any, leaks or problems exist. An expert can determine the leak’s source and if the leak is not originating from the roof, it could be a plumbing issue with a faulty or broken pipe that is causing the situation. Whatever the cause, check it out with an expert.
What to Look for with Water Damage
There are signs to watch for concerning leaks that include the following, and if any of them occur on an ongoing basis, it will be time to call in an expert.
- Staining – If you suspect roof water damage, the signs are usually apparent. You may see discolored areas that appear as a rusty brown or darker color on the ceiling, or there may be circular spots or stains from mold that appear as black or dark patches, which can be damaging to the framework or others structural areas of a home. Obviously, if leaks are steady and ongoing, place buckets, towels or other receptacles in the area or areas of leaks to catch any drips.
- Wet walls – leaks will affect the drywall in a home and if sections of the walls become saturated from continual leaks, they will crumble and deteriorate. If a ceiling has drywall and has absorbed leaks, it can come down in pieces or collapse altogether.
- Wood structures – leaks will also affect and damage any wooden structural materials in a home. Wooden framing, joists, beams and other wood close to a leak will be affected and begin to rot.
- Wiring – leaks can cause electrical problems with wiring and the circuit box associated with the wiring. Leaks that affect the wiring can cause wire breakage and shorts, and if a breaker box is continually deluged with leaks, serious and dangerous issues can result.
Solutions
Once the source of a leak or leaks is determined, and they continue to affect the integrity of your roof itself and the ceilings, walls, framing and wiring within your home, you’ll need to go to the next step beyond an inspection and consult with a restoration expert to specifically isolate the leak or leaks and, finally, analyze what needs to be done to resolve the damage. If you are experiencing any of the apparent signs of leaks, which are likely coming from your roof, feel free to fill out the contact form and a representative will get back to you with the information you need to repair the damage and stop those leaks.
