What Do You Do if Your Roof Springs a Leak?

If you find water dripping from bulges or discolouration in your ceiling, it’s likely that water is pooling on the other side of that bulge or dark spot. Grab a bucket, trash can, or some other container and place it under the site of the drip or suspected leak. You may even want to consider propping up a board inside the container, so the drips hit the board and not the accumulated water. This will minimise the repetitive dripping sound.

Next, take an old screwdriver, locate the centre of the bulge where water is accumulating and puncture it right in the middle. Though it might seem strange to punch a hole in your ceiling to stop a leak, the new hole will allow the water to drain smoothly and relieve pressure on the rest of your ceiling. If water accumulates and pools, the entire ceiling could collapse.

If you are confident you know where the leak is coming from and can safely get to the source, cover the exterior surface with a large tarp. If you can’t reach it or feel unsafe doing so, it would be best to contact a roofing professional immediately. Many credible roofing companies offer emergency tarping services. As you may already know, unfortunately, if your roof is actively leaking due to weather, a roofing professional can not repair the leak until that weather has stopped. The tarping service will act as a temporary fix to minimise the damage inside your home until your roofer can fix the problem.

An experienced roofing professional will inspect your roof both from the exterior of the roof itself and the inside of your home, typically through the attic. Inspecting the underside of the roof sheeting can show signs of water damage, however, it is not a foolproof method so inspecting the roof for damage is needed. Top Glaze has the best range of services if you’re looking for Melbourne roof repairs.

Tips for Repairing a Leaky Roof

Even when you take all the preventative measures you can think of, life happens. One day, you’re relaxing care-free in the comfort of your home, the next you notice, with increasing apprehension, a water stain spreading across the ceiling. Since time is of the essence in repairing a leaky roof, this is not the time to panic. The main thing is to not leave it until your roof suddenly collapses. Who wants to be Chicken Little with the sky about to fall?

Stop the Water Damage

Once you discover an active leak in your roof, the first thing to do is minimise the water damage as much as possible. To do this, you should move or put a plastic covering over anything that can be damaged by water. This includes furniture, electronics and other valuables.

Contain the Water

Immediately put a bucket or other waterproof container beneath the leak(s) to catch the water. If water splashes onto the floor, put an old T-shirt in the bottom of the bucket to absorb the splash, or try pinning a long string to the ceiling near the leak, so the water will have a path into the bucket. If the paint is bubbling, it’s likely holding water, so puncture the bubble to release the water into your bucket. If you cannot contain or control the water from coming in, it’s time to call a licensed roofing contractor; many offer 24-hour emergency services.

Remove the Water

Once you have the leak under control, you need to thoroughly dry all carpet, furniture, woodwork and anything else that was exposed to water. Not only will water leave a stain, but mostly, you must prevent mould from growing in your home. If your carpet is soaked, pull it away from the padding and expose both sides of the rug and the pad to briskly circulating air. If the damage is extensive, call a professional water extraction company.

Call Your Insurance Agent

If you know (or even suspect) that your home has sustained heavy damage, call your insurance agent. Although your policy may not cover damage from a leaky roof, contact your insurance agent as soon as possible and let them determine what is and isn’t covered.

Fix That Leaky Roof

Once you’ve done all you can to get the situation under control and minimise the damage in your home, it’s time to get your roof fixed. To be sure it’s fixed right the first time and never returns, you should call a licensed roofing contractor.

Here are a few tips to help you choose the right contractor:

• Get several quotes from different companies
• Make certain your contractor is licensed, insured and will pull all required permits
• Be sure your contractor agrees to locate and repair all wood damage before re-roofing your home
• Ask your contractor to outline specific maintenance instructions for your new roof
• Ask about the guarantee and the expected life of the roof
• Be sure your contractor agrees the roof must pass municipal inspection before the work is considered complete
• Do not allow the work to begin until you’re comfortable each of these important requirements has been met. Also, beware of fly-by-night companies that may try to take advantage of you – especially soon after a natural disaster.

10 Reasons Why Your Roof Is Leaking

A roof leak is a major inconvenience that can cause a significant amount of damage to your home. Roof leaks can cause structural damage to your house, including damage to your attic, ceiling and walls. Roof leaks can even create health and safety problems for your family. Water intrusion can cause mould and mildew to spread throughout your home. Additionally, if water finds its way to electrical wiring, a leak could become a dangerous fire hazard.

For these reasons and more, it is extremely important to repair roof leaks as quickly as possible. This begins by determining what the cause of the leaky roof is. Here are ten common causes of roof leaks.

Holes

A hole in your roof is an obvious entry point for water. Nothing stops the water from flowing right into your home.

Holes can happen over time if you don’t care for your roof. They can also happen suddenly if something hits your roof.

Another potential source of holes is removing objects from your roof. Taking down an old antenna or satellite dish potentially leaves behind holes where those objects were anchored to the roof.

If you have anything removed from your roof, ensure the holes get patched correctly.

Missing or Damaged Shingles

Shingles protect your roof and help the water runoff from the roof to the gutters. If they’re compromised in any way, they can’t do their job, which may allow leaks.

Sometimes the damage starts from the beginning. Shingles or roofing that isn’t installed correctly can allow leaks. Faulty roofing materials can also lead to leakage from the beginning.

Storm or wind damage can cause damage to the shingles. Heavy wind can cause shingles to blow off the roof. A fallen branch can puncture the shingles and the roofing underneath them.

Inspect your roof periodically to look for damage or missing shingles, especially after bad weather. If the roof is otherwise in good condition, you can replace the damaged or missing pieces.

Gutter Issues

Water runs down your roof and into the gutters. Leaves, sticks, and other debris can also end up in the gutter.

If you don’t clean your gutters regularly, the debris builds up and keeps water from flowing. The water can build up onto the roof, where it can go under the shingles and cause leaks.

Clean your gutters at least three times per year to keep them clear. If you have a lot of trees around, you may need to clear them more often. Looking for roof gutter cleaning services? Check out Top Glaze Melbourne.

Old Age

Your roof eventually needs to be replaced due to wear and tear. How long a roof lasts depends largely on the roofing material used.

The common asphalt shingles you see on many houses usually last around 20 years, but some last shorter or longer periods depending on the quality of the roofing.

Fibre cement shingles hold on a little longer, lasting around 25 years.

If you have wood shakes or shingles, they should last around 30 years.

Slate, tile, and metal roofing give you the longest life before it needs to be replaced. These materials can often last 50 years or longer.

As it gets old, the roofing can become brittle and deteriorate. This prevents it from protecting your home from leaks.

Damage or neglect can shorten the life of your roof, no matter the material. If you know your roof is getting older or you haven’t maintained it, the leak could be due to a normal breakdown due to old age.

Damage to Flashing

Flashing is metal that goes over joints and seams to protect from leaks. But it can also be a potential cause of leaks.

Flashing that’s not installed correctly can allow water to enter. The flashing may move out of position if it’s not attached well.

It can also get damaged over time. The metal might corrode, crack, or otherwise get damaged and let water in.

Roof Slope Issues

A shallow roof slope or a flat roof can increase the chances of leaks. The slope of the roof helps water run off efficiently. If the roof doesn’t have much of a slope, the water can slow down or pool up on the roofing material, and it may eventually leak into your home.

Ridge Caps and Valleys

The peaks and valleys on your roof add to the architectural design, but they also create potential entry points for water. If you notice the leaks coming into your home in those specific areas, you may have issues with how they’re sealed.

Valleys are the V-shaped spots where slopes meet. Damage to the material covering the valleys can allow water to seep inside. They can also leak if they were never sealed properly.

Vents, Skylights, and Chimneys

Your roof may have vents, skylights, and chimneys on them that create the potential for leaking. If those features aren’t installed properly, they may leave gaps along with them where water can seep into the house.

Proper installation ensures those features are sealed and watertight. You may need to have them resealed overtime to keep them protected.

Skylights may let in leaks if the hole doesn’t match the skylight size exactly. The insulation around the skylight can also deteriorate over time and allow leaking. Cracks and damage to the actual window are other potential leak sources.

Chimneys may break down over time and allow water into the home. Damaged or missing mortar and holes in the chimney are potential causes.

Attic Condensation

Sometimes the water damage doesn’t come from outside the home. Condensation buildup in the attic can cause water damage and leak inside your home.

Condensation happens when the attic is ventilated poorly or lacks proper insulation. Extreme temperature changes can add to condensation.

Not only does it potentially cause water damage inside the home, but condensation can also cause mould and mildew to grow in your home.

Roof Debris

Has it been a while since you cleaned off your roof? Or maybe you had a storm recently that caused branches and debris to build upon your roof.

That organic debris can cause leaking even if it doesn’t damage the shingles.

Leaves, sticks, and other debris block the water from flowing off the roof properly. It can cause the water to pool up on the roof or back up under the shingles. The water can seep down into the roof and into your home.

Choose the Right Roofing Contractor

The biggest obstacle homeowners face when looking to fix or replace their roof is choosing the right person to do the job. After a damaging storm, they need to quickly get back to normal and perform the necessary roofing repairs. But that doesn’t mean they should just choose the first contractor who knocks on their door. Finding a contractor who is trustworthy, honest, and professional may sound difficult, but that’s where you come in. Contractors should share these ten important tips with homeowners to show them that your company is reputable and can be trusted to protect their home and their wallet. Top Glaze has the best range of services if you’re looking for Melbourne roof repairs.

Look for Legitimacy

This is where it’s important not to trust your first impressions. Someone might seem like a legitimate roofer, but they could turn out to have no idea what they’re doing, and then you’re left with a roof that has to be torn down and replaced before you’ve even moved the furniture in.

Legitimate roofing contractors will have a business address, a phone number and an ABN. If they can’t offer any more information than a business card, it’s best to take your business elsewhere.

Experience

Look for a roofing contractor with a proven track record. Any good contractor will have a list of positive references from past clients and a folio of photos from past jobs. Don’t be afraid to contact any past clients; a good roofing contractor should be happy to pass on their details. The experience of an established roofer is also important. If something goes wrong in the future, it’s more likely they’ll still be around and able to help out.

Qualifications

Roofing is not the type of industry where you want to trust the guy that taught himself or did a bit of work for his dad when he was in school. Ask to see copies of their building or plumbing licenses, registration, and other qualifications.

Insurance

It is absolutely essential that the roofing contractor you choose has adequate insurance for the job they’re undertaking. Ask to see proof of their public liability insurance. It’s also helpful for you to know that some of the roofing jobs are covered by insurance if things don’t go as planned.

Good Communication

This is an underrated but important factor in choosing a roofing contractor. You can judge a good communicator from the very first meeting. How did they answer their phone? Did they ask lots of questions? Did you have to do all the talking?

Good communication is the key to a good relationship between you and the roofing contractors, and a good relationship goes a long way towards a finished job that you’re happy with.

Price

It’s always tempting to go for the lowest quote. While no one wants to get ripped off, at the end of the day, you pay for quality. Always ask for a detailed quote that lists specific prices for each service and product. This is the best way to compare quotes and find out exactly what you’re paying for.

Purchasing Power

This is closely related to price. A big Melbourne roofing company has more chance of being able to supply you with quality products without passing the costs on to you. Big companies will have deals and partnerships with local suppliers. While it’s often assumed that smaller companies, or even single roofing contractors, mean better quality, you have to remember that you’ll have to bear the cost if you want the best products.

Research

You don’t want to go on a blind hunt for a Melbourne roofer. You have to ensure you’re informed about best practice, best materials and appropriate time frames and costs before you accept a quote. So many people fail to do the appropriate research, and, as a result, they are easy targets for inflated quotes and dodgy or even unfinished jobs. The best way to choose an expert is to become an expert yourself.