Tarping Your Roof When an Emergency Roofer Is Needed
Hurricanes, tornadoes, high winds, heavy rain, toppled trees, and fires are some of the types of events that can leave a building’s roof in need of emergency repair. Sometimes this damage is sudden and obvious, but other times it is gradual and happens over time. You know it is an emergency if your home or business’s interior is exposed to the elements, especially in an area like the fuse box. Read on Roofing Baton Rouge to learn more.
A roof leak can be a real emergency. It can ruin wall and flooring coverings, wood framing, and ceiling tiles. It can also create mold and mildew, leading to health problems and reducing your home’s value. An influx of water can also cause electrical issues, short-circuiting wires and potentially putting you and your family in danger. It can even increase energy bills if the water damaged insulation.
It can be difficult to find the source of a leak, especially in an old house with a vaulted ceiling. If you suspect you have a roof leak, look for evidence such as water stains or black marks in your attic. If you cannot see what is causing the leak, it may be necessary to get on the roof and trace the leak up through the rafters. This can be dangerous, so enlist a friend to help.
Leaks are most often caused by problems with your roof’s flashing. Flashing is a thin layer of material such as copper, aluminum, or galvanized steel that is installed around joints, crevices, and vertical surfaces to prevent water from entering the home.
Common problem areas are near penetrations in the roof, such as vent stacks, chimneys, and dormers. These penetrations can fail due to age, improper installation, or damage from wind or hail. It is important to inspect the flashing regularly for cracks, gaps, or deterioration, and have any damage repaired as soon as possible.
Another common area for a leak is in the valley of the roof, where two planes meet to form a low point. This area can be difficult to identify, but you can try running a garden hose on the roof and watching for drips inside the house. If you cannot locate the source, enlist a friend to watch in the attic while you go up on the roof with the hose and begin soaking low on the roof, just above where the leak is visible in the house.
If you do find a leak, it is important to take steps to stop the flow of water until a professional can arrive. Place a tarp over the area of the leak and use buckets to collect the water. If you can, make sure to contact a roofing contractor for an inspection and estimate for the repair work.
Your roof is your primary line of defense against harsh elements that simply don’t belong in your home, like wind, rain and snow. But sometimes, things happen that compromise the integrity of your roof. Whether that happens in an instant, as with lightning strike or a tree falling on your roof, or it occurs gradually over time, such as through normal wear or damage caused by age and ultraviolet radiation, these problems can turn into urgent situations that need immediate attention from a professional.
If your home or business experiences significant storm damage, you will likely need an emergency roof repair immediately to prevent further damage and protect what’s inside. This may include damaged shingles, blown-off or missing shingle granules, leaky roof decking and leaking roof vents, as well as sagging joists or a collapsed roof structure.
Other common causes of emergency roof repairs include tree damage (especially if the damaged area is over your house), ice dams and water penetration due to flashing failure, poor installation or neglect. Animals, such as squirrels and mice, can chew their way through roofing materials and find ways into your attic and living areas. And, of course, fires and other weather-related disasters can also cause urgent roof repair needs.
If you are experiencing a roof emergency, it is best to call your insurance provider and a local roofing company immediately to schedule an inspection and estimate for repair work. You can try to mitigate the damage by covering the affected area with plastic or tarps while you wait for professional help.
Before you call your roofer, make sure that the weather has calmed down and that it is safe to walk on your roof. Check for dislocated shingles, broken or missing vents, and flashing failures around vent stacks, chimneys and dormers. You should also look for rusted metal roof vents and cracked housings, as well as pulled or missing nails on the bottom of the base of each vent. These issues need to be addressed promptly, as they can allow moisture to penetrate the roof structure and eventually cause structural damage and leaks.
After a storm damages your roof, the clock starts ticking for repairs to be made. If it isn’t safe to climb up on the roof, or you don’t have a professional roofing contractor available to make immediate repairs, tarping your roof is an option to protect the rest of your home from water damage. Knowing how to tarp your roof quickly and effectively is an important skill for any homeowner.
First, you’ll need to assess the roof damage from a safe distance with a ladder. Be sure to wear proper safety equipment, including work boots, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and safety glasses. Once you’ve determined the extent of the damage, clear debris from the roof and climb up to examine it more closely. It’s a good idea to get a helper to give you support, especially if your roof is steep or slippery.
Once you have the ladder up, gather your tools and supplies, including an appropriately sized tarp and 2×4 boards for holding the tarp in place. Once you’re safely on the ladder, unroll the tarp and set it over the damaged area of your roof, making sure to leave at least a foot of tarp on each side. Then, use the 2x4s to sandwich the tarp between them and secure it to the roof. Make sure that the tarp is taut and not wrinkled, as it could trap water underneath.
After the tarp is securely in place, add more 2x4s to the roof and wrap them around the tarp. You can also nail the tarp to the 2x4s for extra security, but it’s important to be very careful not to puncture the tarp with nails in windy conditions. To prevent the tarp from blowing away in high winds, you can also weight it down with sand bags or other heavy objects placed along its edges.
Once the tarp is in place, be sure to check it regularly to see if any water is seeping through. If you notice any, call your local emergency roofer to come inspect the roof and fix any leaks. In the meantime, you can also take steps to reduce the risk of future damage by trimming trees, clearing rain gutters and downspouts and preventing water buildup from clogging the gutters.
A roof is an important structural element of any home or business. It has to withstand decades of blazing sun, pounding rain and windy weather, while still protecting the interior. It also needs to look good enough to give the property some curb appeal. Unfortunately, like all things, a roof can get damaged from time to time. When this happens, it is considered a roofing emergency and requires urgent repairs or replacement to avoid extensive damage to the interior.
The cost of a roof repair project can vary greatly depending on the type and severity of the problem. However, emergency repairs are often more expensive than regular roof maintenance and repair. Emergency roofers have to prioritize clients, make themselves available at short notice and travel to a client’s location to carry out the work, which all increases the cost of the job.
Despite the high costs of emergency repairs, it is essential to contact a professional as soon as you notice any damage to your roof. The longer you delay, the more costly the repairs will be and the more likely your roof is to need replacement in the future.
Some types of damage that qualify as a roofing emergency include clogged gutters, leaky roofs and damaged shingles. However, other issues may not necessarily need to be fixed as urgently.
These issues include ponding water, broken seals around skylights, and general wear and tear. While most of these issues don’t qualify as a true emergency, they do need to be addressed quickly to prevent further damage to the interior of the building or its contents.
A good way to avoid the need for emergency roof repairs is to schedule regular inspections and routine maintenance, including cleaning gutters and repairing damaged elements. A professional roofer will be able to help you understand the signs that your roof is in need of attention and can suggest a plan for the necessary repairs. Additionally, it is worth considering the option of emergency financing for roof repair, but be sure to weigh up the benefits against the terms and conditions of the arrangements before committing to them.
