Quick action is essential when dealing with any roof damage. Periodic roof inspections are often necessary to uncover problems before they become an emergency roof repair. Many homeowners do not notice that they have roof damage until it becomes evident in the form of leaks appearing in the structure’s interior during or immediately after a thunderstorm. The older a roof becomes, the more likely it is to develop problems. Professional roof inspections are recommended at least twice a year and should be a routine procedure included in any preventive maintenance program. Roof repairs should be considered an emergency if water is leaking into the interior, the roof could possibly collapse, or the damage will become more extensive if repairs are delayed.
What Qualifies as an Emergency Roofing Repair?
What Can Trigger the Need for Emergency Roof Repairs?
When it comes to roofing Austin properties can sustain damage from a variety of causes. The sun can leave roofing dry and brittle, and there is always the possibility that an inexperienced or unscrupulous roof repair contractor performed a repair incorrectly. However, the primary reason that homeowners call a roofing company for an emergency repair is that a storm has resulted in the immediate or imminent entry of water into the home’s interior.
Every roof should be inspected after any severe weather event. Even if leaks were not detected from within the home during a storm, damage might still have occurred.
Storms with high winds can blow shingles entirely off the roof. If multiple shingles have been lost from even a small area, leaks can quickly develop, and this will qualify as an emergency. Call your insurance agent immediately, then call your roof repair contractor. After the danger from the storm has passed, your roofer may perform temporary repairs as needed. Permanent repairs will be performed after the roof is thoroughly inspected and all damage is uncovered. Losing a shingle or two does not always signify the need for an emergency roof repair, but any lost or damaged shingles should be repaired as quickly as possible.
To help prevent storm damage, keep tree branches trimmed away from the roof. Limbs can break at any time, but they are more likely to be a problem during storms. If a tree branch is large enough or hits the roof at the right angle, it can severely damage the roof. Any hole left in the roof will need at least a temporary emergency repair. Large branches can cause structural damage and present a potentially serious threat to inhabitants.
Lightning can blow holes through a roof and should be treated as an emergency. Call your roofing contractor immediately to report lightning damage and be aware of the possibility of fire.
Never attempt to access your roof during a storm. If water is entering the interior of the home, contain it as well as you can with receptacles. You may also be able to go into your attic and secure a tarp to the underside of the roof deck to stop or slow the infiltration of water. If possible, move furniture, electronics, clothing or other possessions from underneath a leak or protect items with tarps.
Shut off the electrical breakers controlling power to the immediate area of the leak. Once you are confident that the breakers are off, you can unplug electrical items from the outlets. Never attempt to unplug wet electrical cords while the power is live.
Let Experts Handle Emergency Repairs
At Alpha Roofing, we have the equipment, knowledge, and experience to deal with emergency roof repairs. Our roofing services also include nonemergency repairs for roofs, chimneys, and flashing, and we install skylights, asphalt shingles, commercial roofs, flat roofs, and metal roofs. We also inspect for storm damage and offer routine roofing maintenance programs. We are known for our superior customer service and exceptional craftsmanship. You can ask us for a free quote by calling the office at 512-777-1086 or completing the online form.