Any roofing repair is crucial, but determining whether damage has placed your home in an emergency situation is critical to protecting the structural framework of your home, your wallet, and, your safety.
A good general rule of thumb is that whenever the plywood beneath your shingles is revealed, it is an alarming situation that should be addressed as soon as possible by your roofing contractor. Whether strong winds have ripped shingles off your roof, a tree limb has caused serious damage, or an insect infestation has resulted in significant deterioration, all of these situations necessitate immediate and emergency roof attention. Let’s find out what are the leading causes of emergency roof repair:
1. Natural Disasters or Weather Events
- Heavy Rain – Long periods of heavy rain erode the soil, affecting the trees near your home. These trees or their parts could fall and land on your roof which can severely damage your roofing system, necessitating emergency roof repairs.
- Strong Wind – A constant gust of wind is a common cause of emergency roof repairs. Roof shingles are damaged, compromised, or blown away as a result of the constant strong wind. If your area is prone to experience
high winds, it is critical to inspect your roof regularly to avoid any emergency roofing situation.
- Hail Storm – This is the most detrimental natural disaster that can cause serious damage to your roof, especially large chunks of hail that strikes your home during these storms will severely damage it and can occasionally create a hole in your roof.
- Lightning Strikes – Though unusual but not impossible to happen, lightning strikes to your roof can cause significant structural damage, leaving your home susceptible to additional storm activity and water damage.
- Other Weather Occurrences – Tornadoes, hurricanes, and severe thunderstorms can all cause substantial damage to your roof, necessitating emergency roof repairs.
2. Neglecting Roof Maintenance
One of the major causes of emergency roof repairs is a lack of regular roof inspection and maintenance. You won’t notice faulty parts of your roof like damaged gutters, broken shingles, or cracked flashing if you don’t inspect or do regular maintenance on your roof. This will eventually develop into a roofing emergency situation in the long run if not addressed right away. It’s important to maintain and follow a consistent roof maintenance schedule. This will help you from having to deal with costly emergency roof repairs.
3. Animals and Pests Infestation
Minor bug, bird, rodent, or pests infestations on a roof may not be an emergency yet. However, if the infestation has resulted in large holes in your roof or extensive damage to the shingles and other layers of the roof, it may be considered an emergency, especially if a storm is approaching.
4. Manufacturing Defect
It is always advisable to exercise caution when selecting roofing contractors. It’s crucial to discuss the quality of the materials that will be used in the construction of your home or your roof. Never choose low-cost materials or service providers as you may save money while roofing your home, but it will come back to haunt you later when you will have to spend far more than you saved. Cheap materials won’t last and will necessitate emergency roof repairs in the future.
5. Fire Peril
These are the unintentional causes that can completely tear down your roofing system. Many factors contribute to these fire hazards, including electrical short circuits, lightning strikes, and more.
What Should you do During an Emergency Roof Repair?
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed when you come to realize that what you’re facing qualifies as an emergency roof situation. However, try to remain calm and take the following steps to resolve the problem:
Danger Assessment
Assessing the danger is crucial in deciding whether or not you should flee and leave the premise, call 911 or your emergency contractor to keep you and your family safe.
Do Not Attempt Repairs
DIY emergency roof repair carries a significant risk to yourself and your insurance coverage. Do not attempt to tarp or repair a leaking roof. Do not even attempt to climb onto a compromised roof to make a temporary repair. There are numerous potential hazards, such as falling from and through the roof. By attempting to repair
roof problems on your own, you may be nullifying your home insurance policy. However, before the roofer arrives, you may want to investigate and assess parts of the damaged areas.
Call the Professionals
Many roofing contractors provide emergency roof repair service 24/7, so you can call them during emergency events. Be cautious about who you call for emergency roof events, especially after a storm. Avoid inexperienced or underqualified roofers who just showed up in town after a storm and offer dubious repair services. Choose a roofer who holds a roofing license and is properly insured, to get better results.
Limit Internal Damage
While waiting for the roofing contractor to arrive, you can reduce flooding by collecting water using buckets, you can also use a dehumidifier if you have one, and take other precautions to protect your home and belongings.
Speak with your Insurance Provider
If you decide to notify your insurance company, you can request damage documentation from your roofer and ask for assistance with the claims process. They should be able to prepare a report on your damaged roof.
Be Prepared
You will need to start preparing your home and your pocket for a possible roof replacement once you’ve received an estimate or quote from your roofer. Furthermore, if the damage is severe, you might have to make alternative living arrangements until the work is finished.
What to Expect from your Roofer During an Emergency
What should you expect when you contact your roofer in an emergency? It’s critical to understand what to expect and what steps to take to safeguard your family.
- Evaluate the damage
When your roofers arrive, the first thing that they would do is inspect for any damage. They will investigate the source of any leaks and determine what needs to be done in the long run to restore the roof. Minor repairs may be required, or your roofer may recommend a complete roof replacement. There are usually indications that your roof requires replacement, and you can talk with your roofer to establish what is best for your property. They may also notify you if it is advisable to relieve the pressure of an internal leak by piercing a hole in a bulging ceiling or taking other similar measures.
- Install a Temporary Roof Patch
Your roofers may decide to cover the damaged regions of the roof with a temporary tarp or patch. This will give them additional time to repair the damage. This is particularly important if the weather station anticipates rain in your zone before your roof repairs can be finished.
- Provide an Estimate
The roofers will then explain what must be done to rebuild and repair the roof. They will provide you with a written estimate or quote. If you file an insurance claim, they would also provide you with pictures and any other documentation that is required for the claim.
- Repair Schedule
Keep in mind that roofers have a lot of work after big storms and may even take weeks to get to your roof. They will usually begin by tarping their clients’ roofs to avoid further harm before focusing on the homes that have the most significant damage first. If your roof’s conditions worsen or your tarp comes loose, you should notify your roofers immediately.
Remember, having roofers conduct regular maintenance on your roofs, such as inspecting roof aspects for damage and cleaning gutters, is one of the best ways to prevent emergency roof repairs. It could also help you in becoming familiar with your roof’s components so that you have a good knowledge and understanding of how things should look on your roof and when you may need to call a roofing expert.