Are you currently faced with the problem of an active roof leak and need help minimizing the damage before a Bay Area roofing professional arrives? In order to stop an active leak from causing more damage, there are immediate steps you need to take to get the ball rolling before your Bay Area roofing contractor comes to repair the roof damage and subsequent leak.

Below are 4 immediate actions you need to take after you have noticed a leak has penetrated through your Bay Area roof and into your home.

  1. Minimize interior damage and damage to the ceiling by eliminating the built up pressure caused by the leaking water: Simply locate the wettest spot on the ceiling and poke a small hole in the center of the bulge and then collect the draining water with a bucket or trashcan, depending on the amount of water. One helpful way to get the water directly into a container with minimal splashing is by pinning a length of string to the ceiling to allow the water to travel directly down the string. Likewise, if you notice that the paint is bubbling or blistering you may need to make sure the pressure is relieved in the same way.
  2. Protect your interior belongings: Move all items and furniture within distance of the leaking water, and if the object is too heavy to move then cover it with plastic wrap. Also be sure to contact your insurance company if there is extensive interior damage caused by the leak.
  3. Investigate the origin point of the leak: Since the point at which the water is leaking into the interior of your home is not necessarily where your Bay Area roof has sprung a leak, you will need to find out exactly where the leak began by tracing the path of the water to the source. Keep in mind that water will travel down the trusses and beams until it finds a weakened area through which is can penetrate. Some factors that may contribute to the weakening of your Bay Area roof are: deteriorated shingles or old pipe flashing, old moisture barriers, missing flashing, caps, or shingles, and clogged gutters or downspouts. Thus, it is important to stay on top of routine maintenance checks with your Bay Area roofing contractor if you wish to prevent such factors from causing a leak in your roof.
  4. Maintain the situation: Until your Bay Area roofing contractor arrives to perform a complete repair on the leak, you need to do some damage control by applying some sort of temporary repair. Roofing cement or tape can be used on the inside of the roof in the attic as well as on the outside, while a temporary repair like a tarp, for example, would be used to cover the leak directly. Remember though that you should only perform these temporary repairs if you feel comfortable enough; otherwise, you are advised to wait for an expert Bay Area roofing repair technician to come and fix the leak in its entirety.

BONUS: Don’t forget to call Yorkshire Roofing, your Bay Area Roofing contractor. Our team of expert roofers will get the job done promptly and efficiently. Contact us today!