When you need an emergency roof replacement, whether there’s been a major storm, your roof has given in to a leak, or it’s just too old to do its job, there are a few things you can do to protect your belongings (and the rest of your home’s structure) while you wait for help to arrive. This guide explains.
3 Things to Do While You Wait for an Emergency Roof Replacement Contractor to Arrive
Check out these three things to do after you’ve called an emergency roofing contractor:
- Cover belongings that you can’t move
- Move exposed belongings
- Get to a safe location
Here’s a closer look at each – and remember, the first thing you should do is get in touch with an emergency roof replacement contractor. Your contractor will be able to fix the issue quickly and protect your home’s structure. If the area isn’t safe, simply leave; don’t try to mitigate damage, because doing so could put you at risk.
#1. Cover Belongings You Can’t Move
If you can, cover damaged belongings with a tarp or heavy coverings that can protect them in the event of further damage. Though plastic is best, other types of coverings will suffice to keep dust and debris off large items that you can’t move.
Note: If your roof is extensively damaged and isn’t stable, it’s dangerous to spend time under it. Don’t try to cover anything in that case – just get to a safe location and wait for your emergency roof replacement contractor to arrive.
#2. Move Exposed Belongings
If you have belongings that you’re able to move (safely!), get them out of the area beneath your damaged roof. You should move them as quickly as you can to prevent further damage. Again, if the area is unsafe because the roof is unstable, don’t try to move your belongings; just leave the area and get somewhere safe.
#3. Get to a Safe Location
Because there’s no way for a casual observer to tell how damaged a roof is without the right tools and experience – and because a roof’s structure can be seriously damaged without appearing that way – it’s always important to get to a safe location. Do not spend unnecessary time in any rooms beneath damaged areas of your roof.
Related: How to pick the best roofing company
Should You Put a Tarp on Your Roof While You Wait for an Emergency Replacement?
Generally, it’s not safe to climb up on a roof to put up a tarp. Most people don’t have safety gear at home – nor do they have the experience to safely move around on a damaged roof. Putting a tarp on your own roof can be very dangerous.
You’re facing more than slipping hazards from climbing up a steep pitch; the roof’s structure could be compromised, and it may not be able to safely bear your weight. It’s always best to wait for an emergency roofing contractor to come to your home to put a tarp on your roof.
Our team is used to making emergency calls, and we can be there quickly to help protect your home and belongings from further damage. Hail and storm damage can be very serious, so you should leave tarping to the professionals.
Related: Do you really need a roof inspection every year?
How Can You Tell When You Need Emergency Roof Replacement?
If your roof is visibly damaged, you know you need an emergency roof replacement – but sometimes, it’s not so easy. Sometimes you can put off a roof replacement for a while; it’s not always an emergency. You can tell whether you need emergency roof replacement by checking for the following symptoms:
- Visible water leaks in your home. If you can see water leaking into your home, you need an emergency roof replacement. Water leaks never get better with time – and they can become exponentially worse very quickly. When you find a leak, see water dripping into your house, or discover evidence of a past leak (such as discoloration or mold growth on walls, exposed rafters or your ceiling), you should call an emergency roof replacement contractor right away.
- Missing shingles or tiles on your roof. Though sometimes a missing shingle or two isn’t a huge problem, it can be a sign that big damage is on the way. Shingles and tiles are your roof’s first line of defense against the elements, and if they’re missing, your roof can’t protect your home like it should. Water can get into your roofing materials, and that always spells trouble.
- Blistering paint inside your home. Blistering paint is a sign that water has seeped into your walls or ceiling, and the paint is holding a puddle of it. Sometimes the water seeps back into the wood or other construction materials beneath the paint, leaving behind a patch of stretched-out paint that looks like a deflated blister.
- Discoloration or staining on walls or ceilings. Discoloration on paint is a sign that water has been there before, and it may have come from your roof. If you notice discoloration, you should consult a roof replacement expert to find out whether you have a leak.
- Crumbling ceilings. If your ceilings are crumbling, you most likely need an emergency roof replacement. Typically, that happens when the materials that make up your ceiling – such as drywall – begin to decay.
- Compromised rafters in your attic. If the rafters in your attic appear saggy, waterlogged or damaged, or have signs that water has been affecting them (such as stains or mold growth), you most likely need an emergency roof replacement. That’s because these are water-related problems, and water does terrible damage to roofing materials and your home’s structure. That wood isn’t supposed to get wet; if it does, it can weaken and cause your roof to collapse.
Do You Need to Talk to the Emergency Roof Replacement Experts?
If you need an emergency roof replacement expert to tell you whether you need a quick fix and protect your home from further damage, call our office now to schedule your free roof inspection. Our team can come out quickly during an emergency to help keep you – and your home – safe.
