The sight of a water leak from above makes most homeowners shudder. When water starts pouring down your walls or through your ceilings, you may feel helpless. By the time you see the leak, a considerable amount of damage may have already occurred. This will require a roof repair and possibly mold and water damage mitigation. However, homeowners can take proactive steps to mitigate the damage from a leaking roof.

Once you have discovered a leak or a water stain as evidence that something is leaking, make your roof repair a high priority. The longer a leak remains without being properly repaired, the more challenges you will face in remedying the issue. Water damage can affect the structure of a roof as well as the attic and ceilings below the leak. Ongoing leaks can result in many nasty problems like odors, mildew and mold that can be hazardous to those living in the house.

Tips to Address a Leaking Roof



Before you find yourself in a crisis situation, here are a few tips to address a leaking roof and make sure your home receives a quality roof repair:

1. Act fast if the leak is storm damage

If a new leak starts from some kind of damage to the roof during a storm, immediately call a reputable roofer that not only can repair the roof but also help you through the insurance claim process from start to finish.

2. Trace the leak to its source

If possible, trace the problem to its source. You can help the roofing contractor solve the problem more quickly if you can find the cause of your leaking roof.

3. Find a reputable roofing company

A challenge for most homeowners is to find a quality roofing company that will do the job right. Check to make sure that the one you decide to call has the proper credentials, licenses and insurance. Look them up online; see that they are known and recommended in the community by other homeowners. Check out their reviews on review sites like Yelp or Google+ Local.

4. Get a professional quote

Before you hire the roofer, make sure they come to your home, assess the situation and provide a professional quote. Since water can travel a distance from where the leak originates, you need to find the source of the leak. This is critical in order to properly repair and prevent more damage. A qualified roofer will find the actual source of the leak before giving a quote. They want to be sure that their estimate of the required work is accurate. Only once the problem has been identified can the repairs begin.

The work required to fix a leaking roof usually involves more than just replacing a couple of shingles. For example, the roofer may suggest removing the shingles from a much larger section of roof based on the roof’s shape, angles and corners. Usually this lessens the chance of water seeping under a small patch of newly placed shingles and creating new leaks. If the contractor has come highly recommended, trust their judgement and let them fix the problem the way they suggest. Taking shortcuts will only result in more issues later on.

5. Get your roof inspected regularly to avoid leaks in the future

Once you have the roof repaired, prevent future leaks by having your roof inspected regularly by an experienced roofer. By making roof inspection a regular part of your home maintenance, you can avoid costly future roof repair. A roofing contractor will find trouble spots before they become actual problems. Whatever issues the roofer finds during the inspection, have them provide an estimate for fixing them immediately. This will save you from having to deal with a more serious problem later.

Even though a roof replacement should last you many years, you should partner with a reputable roofer whom you can periodically call to inspect your roof and keep it in good shape.