5 Things To Know About Emergency Roof Repair

It can be alarming to discover that your roof needs emergency repair. You may be worried about the cost of emergency roof repair or how you can minimize potential water damage.

As your roof is paramount to the protection of your home and all your belongings, it’s important to respond to emergency roof repairs promptly. If you act fast, you can usually prevent small amounts of damage from becoming more substantial.

Emergency Roof Repair Walkthrough

Here are a few things you should know about emergency roof repair and what you should do if you find roof problems.

Know an Emergency Roof Repair vs. a Non-Emergency Repair

Not sure how to tell if a roofing problem is an emergency? While roof repair emergencies can differ depending on your location, weather, and similar factors, there are a few types of damage that you should always have quickly evaluated and repaired. This typically includes any type of roof damage that allows water infiltration.

The problem with even small leaks is that they can create more expensive problems by contributing to wood rot, mold and mildew growth, and structural issues. Water infiltration may occur after a major windstorm or hailstorm or after an extended period of rain.

Minimize Damage Before a Roof Repair

Ideally, you want to minimize any further roofing damage after finding the initial problem. After contacting a roof repair contractor to inspect your roof, consider how you’ll prevent the damage from progressing. If there’s water infiltration, you may want to consider tarping the roof.

Tarping involves securing a waterproof tarp over the damaged section of roof to prevent further water damage. While emergency roof tarping sounds easy enough, it can actually be a dangerous endeavor. A qualified contractor can tarp your roof for you until the damage can be repaired.

Schedule a Professional Roof Inspection

When you contact roof repair contractors to come and inspect your roof, they’ll check the overall condition of your roof and address known problems.

A professional roof inspection typically includes a full interior inspection of the attic and a full exterior inspection that includes the shingles, decking, underlay membrane, and flashing.

While inspecting your roof, contractors will also look for possible sources of damage, such as ice dams, improper flashing installation, rot, mold, and structural issues like sagging. The gutters on the home should also be inspected to ensure they’re not clogged or preventing proper water flow.

Contact Your Insurance Provider

If the damage to your roof was caused by something other than old age or lack of proper maintenance, the repair costs may be covered by your homeowners insurance policy. After discovering roof damage, contact your insurance provider to file a formal claim.

After sending out someone to look at your roof, they’ll provide an estimate of what they’re willing to cover based on the condition of your roof and the type of damage found. You can then call your roof repair contractor to come and make the necessary repairs.

Hiring an Emergency Roof Repair Contractor

Your roof is one of the most important components of your home. Unfortunately, it’s exposed to a number of hazards that directly affect its overall condition and lifespan. Hiring the right roof repair contractor can help protect your investment and prolong the life of your roof.

While some types of roof repairs can wait, there are certain situations that call for emergency roof repairs, such as:

Fires from lightning, electrical problems, wildfires, or human error
Ice damage from freezing water
Wind damage, which can weaken nails, shingles, and other roofing materials
Improper installation resulting in failed roofing components
Damage from insects or small critters like birds or squirrels
Punctures and penetrations from falling trees and other items
Leaks from prolonged periods of rain, snow, or melted ice

One of the most important decisions you’ll have to make after discovering roof damage is who will make the repairs. Choosing the right contractor is important to ensure that the repairs are performed properly and with quality materials.

Choose a business with a great reputation and a solid record of satisfied customers. A reputable contractor should be able to provide an extensive portfolio of their work and a list of references. Always choose a contractor who has the proper certifications and licenses in your state.

Before going forward with an emergency roof repair, be sure to get all information in writing from your contractor. Emergency roof repair projects can be time-consuming and complex. To ensure that all the details are properly covered, a professional contractor will draw up a document that contains all the details of the repairs and the approximate cost.

If your insurance provider is willing to cover the repairs, you should work with your contractor to see if there will be a gap in coverage.

When interviewing potential contractors, there are a few questions you should ask. First, determine if a roof repair will be sufficient or if a full roof replacement will be needed. You’ll also want to ask the contractor how long they expect the process to take and whether you’ll be able to live in the home while it’s undergoing repairs.

As you progress through the roof repair process, you may have other questions, such as “What does my contract cover?” and “What type of warranty do you offer?”

Contact Emergency Roof Repair Contractors

You never know when emergency roof repairs will be needed. When you’re facing an unexpected repair, it’s important to have a reputable contractor to turn to. The key is to not ignore the damage to your roof, as this can result in more substantial damage to the interior and exterior of your home.

Instead, contact an emergency roof repair professional who will promptly inspect and repair your roof. Contact the team at Beyond Exteriors.

Emergency Roof Repair: What You Need To Know

Emergency Roof Repair Walkthrough