What to do when you start to notice those dreaded signs of a roof leak? Well FIRST call Cape Fear Flooring & Restoration. Then try these tricks:
- Finding a leak can take time. Staunch the dripping as soon as possible.
- If you have attic access, go into the attic and clear insulation off the wet ceiling drywall. Use towels or a sponge to clean up any access water. Place a piece of plywood or sturdy board across the joists and put a bucket under the leak to catch the water, before it can make its way into your room below. Be careful where you place the bucket and ensure its not directly on the drywall as it may fall through once its full. Make sure to go back and check the bucket on occasion.
- To locate the leak look for a flow marks in your attic. Check for water spots along the wood, drywall and insulation. You can typically trace the leak path along a rafter. This may be far from the location of where its dripping inside your home.
- You can make a temporary patch with roofing tar and a piece of shingle or plywood. Spread the tar onto the leak using a putty knife. Then push the shingle or plywood into the tar and apply more tar around the edges of your new patch.
- If your leak has already gone beyond the fixes listed above and is now BULGING your ceiling, you have a pool of water on the other side. You may want to consider ‘popping’ the bulge. Place a trash can under the drip. Next take a screwdriver and puncture the bulge in the middle. This will allow the water to drain smoothly and relieve some of the pressure on the rest of the ceiling. If not handled quickly and water continues to pool, your entire ceiling could collapse.
The National Roofing Contractors Association recommends inspecting your roof twice a year, in the fall and spring. Here is what to look for to determine if you have a roof issue:
On the inside, you should look for:
- Dark spots on your ceiling or walls
- Spots where outside light shines through
- Bulging or Sagging
- Unexplained mold/ mildew or a mold/mildew smell
- Water Streaks down your walls
On the outside, you should keep an eye out for:
- Missing, warped, rotting, peeling, broken, blistering, or buckling shingles
- Wear around chimneys or vents
- Rotting wood or shingles in wooden or asphalt roofs
- Particles of shingles in your gutter
- Curling along the edges of shingles
- Clogged or slow-draining gutters/downspouts
If you have had a roof leak that you would like resolved, give us a call. We can get you dried out and back to normal in no time, and we work WITH your insurance!
