What Should You Do When Your Roof Begins to Leak?

No time is ever a good time for your roof to start leaking. You may notice a dark spot spreading on the ceiling. You may catch and see or hear the water drops as they fall. Indeed, these leaks are hard to miss, which is something of an advantage as you can act fast and call for residential and commercial roof repair Utah services. 

Act right and fast, and you can help mitigate potential damage from the roof leak, minimize costs related to roof repair, and even more importantly, reduce the risk of future leaks.  

Here is a rundown of what to do when your roof begins to leak. 

1. Relieve the Pressure 

If you can clearly see the leak spreading across your ceiling, but it hasn't broken through, then allow the water to drain by poking a hole in the ceiling. Poking the ceiling, right in the middle of the bulge, with a screwdriver should get the job done. 

This step is crucial as the pooled-up water in your ceiling space can get so heavy, causing the ceiling to collapse. The pooled-up water may also end up leaking into your lighting fixtures and walls, and you’ll end up with more costs in addition to those directly related to your residential or commercial roof repair Utah service requirements. 

2. Minimize Water Damage 

Be sure to minimize water damage by getting what you can away from the site of the active leak. This includes furniture, books, clothing, and any other items. Alternatively, you can cover up your items in a waterproof tarp. For electrical outlets near the leaks, be sure to cover them up with outlet plugs right after unplugging any electronics you may have plugged in the socket. 

3. Contain the Water 

Catch the water by placing a bucket or any other container beneath the active leak. By doing so, you will help prevent damage to your floor or carpet. The sound of water droplets hitting the water already in the bucket can be quite annoying. A great idea to avoid includes putting an old item of clothing in the bucket, so it absorbs the water. 

4. Find the Source of the Leak and Put Together a Temporary Fix 

After containing potential water damage, you can now move on to identifying the source of the leak. If you can, look inside your attic for major holes or gaps. 

If you are lucky enough to find these gaps or holes, then you can go the DIY way and put a temporary fix in place. If you have some roofing tape or caulk around, use either to close the gaps, which should effectively prevent the water from flowing further into your ceiling. 

5. Call the Experts 

You can only do much to take care of roof leaks. Even if you have temporarily stopped the leaks, be sure to call residential and commercial roof repair Utah experts. Professional roofers like the team at Bob Harvey Roofing will assess the damage on your roof, pinpoint the source of the leak, and find a permanent solution. 

Not only that, but you can also look forward to getting maintenance tips and insights on how best to avoid similar problems in the future. This way, it will be a long while before you ever have to call for emergency repair services to fix your leaking roof. 

Act Fast 

With roof leaks, it's best to avoid any delays. Act fast to avoid or prevent further water damage as soon as you notice the leak. Most importantly, you want to get in touch with a reliable residential and commercial roof repair Utah specialist like Bob Harvey Roofing and have your leaking roof repaired as soon as possible.