Imagine waking up on any normal weekday and starting your morning routine. Just then, you see it- a puddle of water in the middle of the hallway. You start going through the checks, not wanting to admit that your roof may be leaking. “The dog? Spilt water?” But then, a drop of water falls from the ceiling and lands right in the center of this puddle.
First things first, don’t panic. In times like this, it is best to keep a clear head and walk through the following steps once a roof leak has been discovered:
Minimize the Damage. Immediately do what you can to protect the interior of your house. Mop up the existing puddle and then find a large bucket or container to place under the dripping water. Any furniture or electronic equipment surrounding the area of the leak should be moved away or covered with plastic.
Beware of Bubbles. If the leak has begun to pool in the ceiling, it will create a bubble or bulge. It is best to release the built up pressure before it bring your entire ceiling down. Use the tip of a screwdriver or a knife to puncture the bubble and allow the water to drain out.
Find the Source. Many leaks come from the following areas:
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- Where roof covering is damaged or missing
- Where flashing around chimneys, vents, or other protrusions is corroded or pulled up
- Where nails have come loose and left behind holes
- Clogged gutters
For safety reasons, Gulf Western Roofing does not recommend that any homeowner attempt to get on their roof themselves. However, you can try to do an inspection from the ground to see if any damages are clearly visible. Having this information will be helpful when you call in a professional. If you believe that your gutters are clogged, we’ve created a how-to article for cleaning them, which can be found here.
Keep in mind that your roof may not always be the source of a leak. Damaged internal pipes have a tendency to cause leaks as well. An honest and trained professional roofer like Gulf Western Roofing will be able to tell exactly what the source of your leak is.
Call in the Professionals. Before attempting to fix any roof leaks yourself please stop and read this article to learn why DIY is not good for your roof. As stated before, Gulf Western Roofing will be able to verify the exact cause of the leak. We will then take the necessary steps to handle it properly, giving you the peace of mind that your roof was repaired correctly.
When you see or hear the telltale drip of water from your ceiling, don’t panic. Call on the experience of Gulf Western Roofing for your Florida roof repair. We are locally owned and operated, serving our customers with integrity since 1999!
