Green Eco Solutions is a roofing contractor that has provided a full range of residential roofing services for more than 30 years, and it probably comes as no surprise that we’ve dealt with many leaky roofs over that period. We’ve also encountered times when the homeowner perhaps didn’t take the right course of action and ended up increasing their repair costs.

Steps to Take When Your Roof Leaks:

– Clear the Area

The first thing you want to do is clear the area of any belongings that could get wet and damaged. In many cases, the leak starts in the attic. Take a flashlight if you need it, and don’t just clear the immediate area but rather give yourself a perimeter of at least several feet or even more if practical.

– Contain the Leak as Much as Possible

The next step is to contain as much water as possible because it won’t take much or long for that water to penetrate the ceiling and into the rooms below. Start with covering the floor. Painter’s plastic is ideal for this, but you can use garbage bags, ponchos, or whatever else you have. Then, place garbage cans, buckets, and towels to collect and contain the water as much as you can.

– Relieve Water Pressure If Applicable

If the moisture has already reached the ceiling and it’s bulging, then you want to puncture it with a screwdriver or similar tool. Before doing that, take the same precautions in the affected rooms as you did in the attic with plastic, containers, and towels in order to protect your belongings. Leaving the bulge as it is isn’t a good idea as the moisture will spread and cause even more damage.

– Call a Roofer

Calling a trusted roofer in your area is an important step in what to do when your roof leaks. Even if the roofer can’t fix the roof right away, such as due to ongoing inclement weather, they can at least tarp the roof, which will prevent more rainwater from getting into the home.

– Call Your Insurance Company

Call your insurance company right after you’ve called a roofer. Most insurers have 24/7 hotlines, and the sooner you get the claim process started the better. You’ll also be able to provide insurance-related info to your roofer and be sure to tell your insurer that a roofer is on the way.

– Take Pictures

One of the mistakes homeowners often make when it comes to what to do when your roof leaks is to not take pictures. Take pictures inside the home. Take pictures of the roof from the ground. When your roofer gets there, ask them to take pictures of the roof for insurance purposes. That way, when your insurance assessor gets there, they are basing the assessment on the original damage and not the state of the roof after the roofer has begun or completed the work.

Your Local Roof Experts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania

While storm damage and the like are out of your control, many leaks are preventable. It starts with choosing a reliable contractor when you have a new roof installed. You should also schedule an annual inspection and have maintenance and roof repairs performed as needed. We provide all of those services here at Green Eco Solutions, and we encourage you to call or contact us online if you’d like to learn more about them or have additional questions about what to do when your roof leaks.