What To Do If You Have A Leaking Roof
- Protect Your Belongings: Move or cover personal items with plastic to prevent water damage. Use a leak-proof container to collect any dripping water.
- Remove Traces of Water: Dry out the affected area and ensure proper ventilation to prevent mold. For wet carpets, separate the carpet from the padding to aid drying.
- Inspect the Interior: Check the attic for wet spots, discolored wood, and other signs of damage. Look for strange smells, dirt on insulation, and warped surfaces.
- Inspect the Exterior: Examine the roof for standing water and blockages in gutters and downpipes. Ensure roofing materials are free from decay or rust.
Not only can Springtime showers put a dampener on weekend plans, it can also ruin the interior of your home if there is a leak in your roof.
It’s important to keep an eye out for signs or symptoms of a leak to avoid any extensive damage or costly repairs. Water rings on your ceiling must not be overlooked or ignored as these can quickly develop into a larger widespread problem which can ultimately lead to the deterioration of your home.
Our experts at Abbey Roofing have put together a simple guide of things to look out for and the correct action to take in the event of a roof leak.
- Protect your belongings
If you have discovered a leak from your roof which is rapidly spreading into your attic, loft or living space, you must move any of your personal items straight away to avoid them becoming damp. If pieces of furniture or large items can not be moved, simply cover them with plastic sheets to protect them from any incoming water.
Top tip: use a leak proof container such as a bucket or washing up bowl to collect water and make sure the container is securely placed on a solid, flat surface.
- Remove the traces of water
Once you have sufficiently protected your personal belongings, the next step is to clear up the traces of water in the room. Allow as much fresh air to circulate the room as possible, so any areas suffering from water damage can dry as quickly as possible.
For carpeting that has become wet, you may need to separate the carpet away from the padding to allow the backing to dry, therefore, reducing the risk of mould or damp.
- Closely inspect the interior of the roof
The collection and retention of water caused by a leak can remain unnoticed for a quite some time before it eventually extends into the living space. Therefore, carrying out detailed inspections of the attic will highlight any hidden damage that the leak may have caused. During these checks, keep an eye out for:
- wet spots
- discoloured or damp wood
- strange smells
- dirt on the insulation
- warped ceilings or walls
- peeling paint
- cracked plaster
- Closely inspect the exterior of the roof
As one of the most overlooked areas in the home in terms of maintenance, it’s extremely important to thoroughly inspect your roofing system to check for any obvious sources of standing water or areas where water has collected.
Make sure the gutters and downpipes are free of debris and remove any blockages if they are clogged so water can move freely off the roof and away from your home. It’s also important to pay close attention to the roofing materials to ensure there are no signs of decay or rust.
Our specialists at Abbey Roofing offer a comprehensive emergency repairs service so any issues which need immediate care, such as a leak, are dealt with quickly and efficiently. Our rapid response rate means we can be on site with you straight away to rectify the problem and prevent it from worsening.
Here at Abbey Roofing, we have a dedicated and skilled team of roofers with more than 20 years’ experience working in both the domestic and commercial roofing sectors.
We work hard all year round, carrying out emergency repairs and re-roofing, and take great pride in the reliable and quality service we deliver.
We offer a range of roofing services including; lead roofing, slate roofing, flat roofing, felt roofing, sheet metal roofing, emergency roof repairs, commercial roofing, new roof installations, gutter cleaning.
To customers in Hemel Hempstead, Watford, St Albans, Bedford, Slough, Milton Keynes, Watford, Barnet, Harpenden and beyond.
Why not contact Abbey Roofing for a free quote today, quality skilled tradesmen at great prices!