What Should I Do If I Have A Roof Leak?

Key Takeaway

A roof leak is more than an inconvenience—even a minor repair may indicate significant damage in the attic. It can cause severe damage if not addressed ASAP. Taking immediate steps to identify, mitigate, and repair the leak can save you time, money, and stress. If you are a roofing expert, contact a well-rated roofing company that deals with Roof Leak Repair.

Understanding Roof Leaks

Signs Of A Roof Leak

●      Water stains on ceilings or walls

●      Dripping water inside the home

●      Peeling paint or wallpaper

●      Musty odors in the attic

●      Visible mold growth

Common Causes Of Roof Leaks

1. Weather Damage
2. Aging Roof
3. Poor Installation
4. Clogged Gutters
5. Flashing Issues

Immediate Steps To Take

Contain The Damage

Place buckets, tarps, or towels to catch dripping water and prevent damage to your floors and furniture. If necessary, use a plastic tarp to protect valuables.

Identify The Source

Identifying the source can be helpful, but this service should be provided by the experienced roofer you hire. If you want to do a DIY, inspect the attic directly above the leaky spot. Use a flashlight to look for wet spots, stains, runny water, or mold. It is also helpful to carefully check if you hear water drips, as this can lead you in the right direction.

Minimize Further Damage

• If you want to check a leak when it’s not raining, simulate a leak by spraying water on the roof with a hose starting by the lower parts of the roof where you believe the leak is located and working your way up
• Clear debris from the roof and gutters to ensure proper water drainage. Excessive tree leaves accumulate on valleys, and these can cause excessive moisture, algae growth, and leaks.
• Apply temporary fixes like roofing caulk or tarps to cover the leak until professional help arrives. Materials such as roofing tape, spraying additives, or roof cement may or may not work if applied on a wet roof and should not be considered a solution for more than a couple of days.

Document The Damage

Taking videos and photos of the affected areas is a great idea if filing a claim is required.

Contact A Professional Roofing Contractor

DIY fixes are temporary; however, a professional roofer can permanently assess and repair the damage. Make sure to choose a highly rated, licensed, and insured contractor. In Texas, licensing and insurance are not always required or enforced by anyone. In urgent cases, search for Roof Leak Repair Near Me to find trusted professionals nearby.

When choosing a roofer, the first thing to remember is to check for those with high online ratings. Ask about their experience with minor leak repairs. Some contractors are only interested in big jobs and will not show much interest in small jobs.

You should also ask if they offer a warranty for their repair. A roofer that fixes things right the first time should have no problem offering a 5-year warranty, even for minor repairs. Roofing warranties for a few days or months are not a sign of a good repair.

Once you have chosen your roofing contractor, they will provide a guideline on what is needed. This guideline may include, but it’s not limited to, the following options:

Inspect And Repair

• Replace missing or damaged shingles.
• Repair or replace flashing and vents.
• Seal cracks and leaks using high-quality materials.

Prevent Future Leaks

• Schedule regular roof inspections.
• Ask for a complete roof system assessment that includes a report so you can be aware of the roof’s existing condition and develop a maintenance plan for it going forward.
• Trim overhanging tree branches.

When To File An Insurance Claim

Understand Your Policy

Not all roof leaks and roof damage qualify for a claim. It depends on the damage’s severity, your deductible, and whether you have proper coverage. Before you rush to call the insurance company and file a claim, please do the following:

• Ask your roofer if filing a claim is necessary and why. Ask for proof (photos, videos) explaining why it is required to file a claim.
• If filing a claim is necessary, call your insurance company and ask for an explanation of your homeowner’s insurance policy to determine if coverage for roof damage applies. Most policies cover sudden and accidental storm damage but not wear and tear.

Filing A Property Claim

• Contact your insurance carrier and provide documentation of the damage. The easiest way to find the insurance carrier’s claim assistance number is by searching on Google (i.e., state farm property claims phone number)
• Work with a roofing contractor to provide estimates and reports to your insurer.

Work With Adjusters

An adjuster is the person sent by the insurance carrier to determine the extent of the damage to the roof and property. Be present during the adjuster’s inspection to ensure they understand the importance of the damage. It may be necessary that the roofing contractor be present to provide a transparent claim between you and the carrier. Having your chosen roofer present also reduces the chance of being shortchanged by the carrier.

FAQs About Roof Leaks

Can I Fix A Roof Leak Myself?

You could repair minor leaks yourself temporarily, but it’s always best to consult a professional for long-term solutions.

How Much Does It Cost To Fix A Roof Leak?

The Roof Leak Repair Cost can range from $300 for minor repairs that will take under one hour to several thousand dollars for other more extensive types of damage. Early detection can save money. In some cases, extensive damage coupled with advanced deterioration due to wear and tear may lead to the need for a complete roof replacement. Keep these possibilities in mind.

How Do I Know If I Need A New Roof?

Here are two examples of real customers who asked the same questions, and the answer was: “Yes, you need a new roof.”

1) Marco’s roof is the original roof that came with the house, and the house is now approaching 20 years old. Although he says he has not noticed any leaks, the leaks may not yet show as stains on the ceiling, but they may already be in the attic.

A roof approaching or at the 20-year mark will present severe loss of granules, worn-out seals, holes, wear and tear, and many other signs of severe deterioration, even when Marcos says he has not noticed any leaks.

But the leaks may already be happening. He should instead say, ” I don’t see stains on the ceiling yet.” He asked us whether he needed a new roof. The answer was yes, you do.

2) Sheila has owned her house for a few years, but she has had several leaks since she bought it or had it replaced. She had the roof patched and repaired at least twice this year. She says, ” Well, a repair or patch will do it. I know my roof has problems, but let’s see how long I can get out of it before I replace the entire roof.

Unfortunately, Sheila thinks paying $300 – $1,000 each time for repairs and delaying the inevitable is a good strategy. The same roof issues she’s paying for now could be fixed with a complete roof replacement, and she will have peace of mind for years to come. The same money she’s throwing away in repairs, she could use it to pay in part for the larger project and get it out of the way.

She asked us whether she needed a new roof. The answer was, “Yes unless you don’t care about wasting that repair money while knowing that you will need it for the new roof at some point, whether you stay in the house or sell it”

3) Mario lives in a neighborhood with at least one major storm. He remembers it, but he thought, “I don’t see leaks, and I don’t see any damage on the roof. No missing shingles or abnormal stuff. My roof is ok.”

However, he notices that suddenly there are a lot of roofers knocking on the doors, talking to neighbors, lots of roofing yard signs, lots of roofing trucks in the area, dozens of flyers on the doors, and neighbors getting their roofs replaced.

These things are a clear sign that a significant storm may have damaged the roofs in the neighborhood, and she should take action. Even though damage is not visible from the ground and there are no roof leaks, the damage may already be happening. He should contact a trusted, local roofing company, inspect the roof to determine if damage occurred, and file a claim with the insurance company as soon as possible.

He asked us whether we thought he needed a new roof. The answer is: “You should have it inspected ASAP because that’s the only way to know whether you should file an insurance claim. Not having leaks or seeing anything from the ground is not the right way of assessing roof damage.”

Conclusion

Dealing with a roof leak is stressful, but acting fast is crucial. Fortunately, contacting professionals for Emergency Roof Leak Repair will help minimize damage and ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Consistent roof maintenance is your strongest safeguard against leaks. A properly installed and well-maintained roof should remain leak-free unless it experiences a hurricane-like storm.

Need Help With Roof Repairs?

At Roofing Services Now, we specialize in fast, reliable Roof Leak Repair in San Antonio, Texas, and the Hill Country. Our repairs are done right the first time and include an unmatched 5-year workmanship warranty. We can do any repairs regardless of size. From a few missing shingles to a large repair, our crew gets it done.

Contact us today and let us know how we can help you at (210) 988-0188. We’re here to help Monday through Saturday 7:00 am – 7:00 pm and Sunday 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Visit our website for more information about our roof repairs.