When it comes to building protection measures, the roofing system plays a critical role in protecting a building’s interior valuables. With its upward location and exposure, the roofing system often encounters unpredictable situations that lead to roofing emergencies. The major cause of roofing emergencies is adverse weather conditions.
Storms including hurricanes, heavy downpours, tornadoes, and thunderstorms cause huge cracks on the shingles. Heavy winds could blow away a huge section of the shingles exposing the building’s interior to severe damages. A storms ripple effects can include a tree falling on roofs or electrical fires on roofs. Incidences of pests attacks like termite and rats feeding on the roof structure are also significant.
Signs of a damaged roof
During a storm, incidences of water dripping from the ceiling are a common sign of damaged roof. You should consider the rate and the strength of the drip. Small drips could be because of small cracks on the shingles. A drip that grows into a huge downward flow is an indicator of a massive damage to the roofing system. You should consider inspecting the ceiling for signs of collected pools. This is easy through the presence of discoloration (brown/gray color) of the ceiling in areas with collected water.
Presence of shingles scattered on the yard after a heavy storm is an indicator of a damaged roof. You can make a closer investigation of the roof through climbing a ladder. When on top of the roof, you can see the cracked or displaced shingles and note the specific regions. Through the storms ripple effects, the presence of storm debris like tree branches, and other objects present on the roof indicate potentially damaged sections of the roof.
Conducting a personal roof damage inspection is important but might be a risky affair. You should avoid conducting roof inspection in the midst of a storm. Incidences of heavy downpour could cause a slippery roof surface and slippery ladder steps which can cause you to slip and fall. Heavy storms could push you off the ladder or cause you to fall on the roof which can cause injury to you and additional roof damage.
Response to mild roofing emergencies
Mild roofing emergencies are majorly evident through small roof drips. Through identification of the specific section in the roof causing the leak, you can follow the three simple but crucial steps below.
Step#1 – Manage the water puddles
Roof leakages lead to the collection of water puddles on either the ceiling or the building’s floor. Such puddles can cause extra damage such as a malfunction in electrical appliances that might lead to electrocution of the user. Discoloration of the ceiling is common roof leakage damage. Huge puddle collections could lead to the collapse of the ceiling/roof and damage to any wall paintings. You should consider swiping the water or creating an outlet away from potential high-risk items. You can also use buckets to collect the dripping water from the ceiling to prevent any further spread.
Step#2 – Locate specific roof leaking sections
Presence of a puddle or a drip will not necessarily indicate the specific leaking shingle or section of the roof. You can follow the waterway that leads to the drip or investigate the attic of the building, which is much closer to the roof hence easier for locating leaks and problems.
Step#3 – Fix it
Small cracks in the shingles are fixable through simple creativity using tools that vary from duct tape to sealants, and others. It is possible to fix from inside the building or on top of the roof. This is a temporary fix. An effective and durable fix is accomplished by ensuring the immediate area around the cracked shingle is cleared off and any dirt and wetness is reduced through wiping/drying. Temporary fixing buys time as one awaits services from a credible roof repair company.
Response to severe roofing emergencies
If the signs of the damaged roof are intense, you should consider securing any valuable items in the building and contact an expert roofing and repair company. Acquiring services from roofing repair companies ensure professional roofing inspection through highly skilled workforce and application of effective technology. You are able to fix areas that one’s personal assessments could not identify, eliminate any doubts, and you earn a guaranteed durable roofing system.
