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Have you ever looked at a dripping ceiling in the middle of the night and wondered if it could wait until morning? Homeowners don’t want to risk damaging their homes even further by not taking care of a roof leak, but emergency roof repair can be a hassle. There are some ways to determine if you’re dealing with an emergency, and there are some things you can do in case it is. You also need to think about whether the issue will be covered by your home insurance and how you’re going to make a claim. Be sure to document the damage with photos and to take reasonable action as soon as possible.
How to Determine if You Need Emergency Roof Repair
You know you’re dealing with an emergency if your home’s interior or attic has been exposed to the elements because of a roof problem. The same is also true if the damage is structural or can cause structural damage. If your home is at risk of major damage caused by large amounts of water, you will need to contact a roofer as soon as possible. A small amount of water pouring down on your fuse box may qualify as an emergency, but the same amount of water inside your living room may not. If you’re in doubt about whether you’re dealing with a roof-related emergency, it’s a good idea to have a roofer look at the problem.
Types of Emergency Roof Repair
You might be able to tell if you need to call a roofer right away by looking at the type of damage you’re dealing with. Here are some issues that could be considered an emergency roof repair:
- Pests and Animals — Minor roof infestations from bugs, birds, or mammals may not be considered an emergency. But if it has caused large holes in your roof or has resulted in serious damage to the shingles or other layers of your roof, it might be (especially if a storm is on the way).
- Roof Neglect — Roofs that haven’t been maintained and inspected on a yearly basis could develop serious leaks in a number of vulnerable areas.
- Fire Damage — Asphalt shingles are rated for fire resistance, so they’re not designed to ignite or feed an existing fire. But they can still get damaged if they’re exposed to flames and extreme heat. After you have dealt with a fire, you will most likely have to deal with a number of emergency repairs to replace shingles, underlayment, decking, or roof trusses that were exposed to the flames.
- Tree Damage — Fallen trees can be a huge threat to roofs, especially when it comes to their structural integrity.
- High Winds — Strong winds can rip the layers off your roof (which can leave the underlayment, decking, or attic space exposed to the elements).
- Lightning Strikes — This can cause major damage to your roof structure, which can leave your home vulnerable to water intrusion caused by additional storm activity.
- Weather-Related Events — Hurricanes, tornadoes, and strong thunderstorms can cause enough roof damage to be considered an emergency roof repair.
- Structural Collapse — Even if there’s a chance that your roof can collapse, it’s considered an emergency. Severe and long-term condensation, extensive water damage, tree impacts, and other types of damage can cause your roof to collapse.
- Mold Growth — Extreme mold growth in your attic can be considered an emergency. If it’s caused by a lack of roof ventilation (which can lead to condensation), then a roofer can add the proper ventilation to take care of the problem.
- Clogged Gutters — This can be considered an emergency roof repair if it causes a serious leak from the backflow of water.
Be sure to speak to a professional for more information.
What May Not Be Considered Emergency Roof Repair
Not all roof problems are considered emergencies. Some of them include but may not be limited to:
- Minor leaks or gaps in the flashing.
- Hail damage.
- A small number (about one or two) of missing or broken shingles.
- Limited condensation in the attic.
- Roof vent dogs.
- Small skylight leaks.
- Moss or algae growth.
While these issues aren’t considered to be major roof issues, they will still need professional attention. There is no roof problem that you can let go for too long because they can get worse over time, but you can take care of these issues during business hours.
If you’re looking for one of the best roofers in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Bayfront Roofing.
