Summertime is the prime time for storms and the issues that coincide with them. It’s important to be prepared so you can stay safe and prevent any damage these storms may cause. If you notice your roof is starting to leak during a storm, there are a few steps you can take to minimize any damages before our Doylestown roof repair experts can come to assist.
Identify The Leak
Roof leaks are usually pretty easy to identify. You can identify a leak by finding where any water is dripping from the ceiling or by finding dark spots on your ceiling. Roof leaks can be worrisome, but don’t panic! Stay calm and act quickly to minimize damages. The first thing you should do is place a bucket underneath the area that is leaking. This prevents water from getting on the floor and staining the carpet or other flooring you may have in your home.
Remove Electronics
If any electronics are near the leak, make sure to unplug them and move them away from the area to minimize the chance that they become damaged. It’s important to remove any hazardous items that are near the leak to prevent electrical fires or to prevent destroying anything.
Alleviate Pressure Build Up
If the leak is spreading throughout the ceiling but hasn’t broken through, you can poke a small hole in the ceiling, allowing the water to drain. This allows you to alleviate the building pressure and potentially save your ceiling from caving in once it cannot hold the water anymore. The best way to poke a hole in the wall is to use a screwdriver and gently poke at the ceiling. Make sure you have a bucket underneath to catch any falling water.
Find The Source of the Leak
Once you’ve moved everything out of the way and placed a bucket underneath the leak, you can try to locate where the leak started. If you can access your attic, look for any major gaps, holes, or visible damage. If there are no visible holes, try to identify where the water is coming in.
Trying to patch up the hole permanently yourself may not be the best solution. However, you can temporarily patch up the leak while you wait for professional roofers to get to your home. You can use roofing tape or caulk to patch up any holes to prevent additional leakage. You can purchase these items at any hardware store.
Call Professionals
If you follow these steps, you can minimize the leak in your ceiling and potentially limit the amount of damage the leak can do to your home. However, the best solution is to contact professional roofers to fix the hole and stop the leak permanently.
Contact RAM Exteriors if you’re in need of roof repair services after a big storm. We have decades of experience with roofing and our roofing contractors in Bucks County can fix your leak quickly and effectively. Call us today for assistance!