How to Spot a Roofing Emergency
Roofing emergencies usually strike without warning and can be truly catastrophic, causing extensive (and expensive) damage to both people and property. Emergency roof repair often becomes necessary during winter months and heavy snowfall, but the need can arise at any time of the year. Stormy weather can also cause big problems for your roof, so it’s important to be on guard when the weather turns sour.
Having a sturdy roof over your head brings peace of mind like nothing else, and it can be stressful when it unexpectedly fails. So, what constitutes a roofing emergency? And how can you prepare for (and prevent) them? In this blog post, we’ll talk about a few emergency roofing situations and what you can do when they arise.
Dealing With a Leaky Roof?
If your roof is leaking, it’s obvious you need roofing repairs urgently — especially if stormy weather is on the way. Don’t wait to deal with a damaged roof; these problems will always get worse if left unattended. If you can, it’s best to have a skilled team of roofers handle your roofing issues before the weather gets bad. Routine maintenance is always more cost-effective than an urgent repair. However, we all know that isn’t always possible.
How to Identify a Roof Leak
There are a few symptoms of a leaky roof that aren’t as obvious as a drip from the ceiling. Here we’ll cover just a few of the signs that your roof could be leaking — even if it looks fine from the ground.
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- Water stains indoors. If you see water damage on your interior walls or ceiling, the water may be coming from the roof. Since this can lead to structural damage over time, it’s best to solve these problems quickly.
- Mold and mildew. Along with water damage, keep an eye out for mold. In particular, you might notice this in your attic or even on the roof itself. Also, inspect exterior walls. Mold and mildew also generally come with a musty smell.
- Damaged or missing shingles. Even a tiny crack in a shingle could let water through to the roof underlayment. This is more of a risk with asphalt shingles; slate and copper roofing are more durable and less likely to crack.
If you notice these signs or have other reasons to believe your roof is leaking, don’t wait to call for roof leak repair. Remember that a small-scale leak repair is always going to be less expensive than a larger-scale roofing project. The sooner you can catch these problems, the easier they’ll be to fix — and less expensive, too.
When to Call For Help
Roofing emergencies are generally very evident. A good rule of thumb is if your home or property is in immediate danger of water damage because of your roof, you should call for assistance. Whether it’s because of fire damage, missing shingles, or because a tree fell on your house, if your roof is significantly damaged, you need emergency roofing services.
If you have an actively leaking roof, call a team of roofers right away. If you can safely do so, you may try to cover the damaged area with a tarp in the meantime. However, if you do not feel completely safe doing so, skip this step and leave it to the pros. It’s safer for everyone.
Many roofing companies are available around the clock to help with roofing emergencies. It pays to check ahead of time whether your local roofing company provides 24/7 emergency service! That way, if you need urgent help, you know exactly where to get it. A 24/7 roofing company will prepare for stormy weather in advance, so they’ll be ready and waiting to send a team of professionals out to help.
How to Avoid Emergency Roof Repair
The best way to protect your home from roof emergencies is to keep a regular maintenance schedule with a reliable roofing company. With proper maintenance services, experienced roofers can identify potential issues before they turn into big problems.
There’s no way to guarantee that a roofing emergency won’t arise, but with proper roof maintenance from professionals, you can at least prepare your home for a wide range of less obvious storm damage side effects.
Trim Back Trees
Even if storm damage itself doesn’t harm your roof, your landscaping could still cause a problem! If you have trees near your home, make sure they’re trimmed back so that branches don’t hang over your roof. Even small branches can do a lot of damage if they’re knocked loose during a storm. Even stone and metal roofing can be damaged if something falls on them, so don’t assume you’re safe from falling branches if you have a more durable roof.
Call Art Slate Roofing!
If you need emergency roof repair services, you can’t afford to wait around. That’s why it’s important to know that there’s an expert roofing contractor nearby who can provide emergency roofing services right when you need them. At Art Slate Roofing, we’re available for emergency roofing services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Our team specializes in slate roofing and copper roofing materials, but we can also handle the more popular choice — asphalt roofing services. Our team is ready and waiting when the weather gets bad. Our team strives for quality craftsmanship and has a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. From small repairs to full-scale roof replacements, the Art Slate Roofing team is here to help. If you’re looking for residential roofing contractors who can give you a hand when you need it the most, give Art Slate Roofing a call.