The rain can be beautiful and cosy, but it can also turn into roof damage fast, resulting in cracked ceilings and leaky roofs. While calling in 24/7 roofers becomes non-negotiable when you’ve got water flooding your attic or a fallen tree creating a gaping hole in your roof, at other times, you don’t really need emergency roof repairs. If you’re curious about when you should treat roof damage after rain as an emergency and when it’s alright to wait for normal business hours, the following blog is the right one for you.
Thunder Booms & Lightning Crashes: When You Should Contact 24 Hour Roofers
Imagine chilling at home on a rainy day, reading a book or catching up on your favourite show. You get up to grab another blanket from the upstairs closet and hear the familiar sound of drip, drip, drip on the floor. Looks like the rain’s managed to get into your home! But do you really need to contact a 24-hour roofing contractor immediately?
Here are a few times when an emergency roof repair service becomes vital after torrential rain.
- Major Leaks
Dripping water from the attic or ceiling can destroy furniture, damage heirlooms and lead to eventual flooding. If that dripping sound you heard is slowly getting worse or if that gap is wide to begin with, emergency roof repair services are necessary.
- Structural Damage
Heavy rain can also result in more than just a leak. If your roof is bowing, sagging or cracked, you need to sound the alarms. Immediately contact expert roofers along with your insurance provider to have the roof repaired as soon as possible.
- Visible Damage
If you go out to your yard and glance up at the roof, and the damage is clear as day, it constitutes a roofing emergency. Think missing shingles, gaping holes or even exposed decking in extreme cases. You need that fixed right now.
- Hits & Impacts
If the rain and wind knock down a tree or make a branch crash onto your roof, you can’t wait for repairs. At this point, the wind has free entry into your home, future rain will pour in, and you’re in danger of trespassers and pest infestations.
- Safety Issues
You don’t need electrocution or fires on top of roof damage. If the pouring water is close to a light fixture, electrical panel or breaker, have a technician address the roof damage without delays to protect your structure and your loved ones.
Minor Damage & Light Impacts: When It’s Okay To Wait For The Roofers
On the other hand, if you prepared your roof beforehand and it only sustained minor injuries, there’s no need to panic or contact emergency roofers. Instead, you could try to make some temporary repairs and wait for the normal business hours to book your appointment.
Here is a look at a few times when it’s okay to wait for a bit.
- Small Leaks
No one can wait for water to gush in through their attic or walls. But what if it’s a tiny leak? Place a bucket underneath to catch the drip and move furniture and carpets out of the way. Try sealing the crack with flashing tape or wet sealant to block off the water temporarily. Contact reliable roofers to schedule an appointment for your roof repair service.
- Just Missing Shingles
If peering up at your roof from the outside reveals missing shingles, but there is no leakage inside, it’s okay to wait for a bit. You can take pictures to share with your local roofing company and tell them the situation, and wait for an opening in a few days instead of in 24 hours.
- Impact Without Damage
If that branch that crashed onto your roof wasn’t big or if it didn’t break or puncture anything, you’re in the clear. Just have someone remove the branch from the roof later on, and have an expert perform a roof inspection later on, just to be sure.
Conclusion
In the end, not all heavy rains equate to roofing emergencies. If you see clear damage or fear electrocution, you should immediately reach out for emergency roof repair services. However, if the leak isn’t severe or if there isn’t any leakage to begin with despite a fallen branch, you’re likely in the clear, and it’s alright to wait for the roofers to arrive at their own pace. The important thing to remember is not to panic during these situations and not to go up to the roof while it’s still raining.
FAQs
How long does it take for a roof to dry after rain?
It can take at least a day for the roof to dry after a rain shower.
How long do emergency roofers take to arrive?
Roofers try to reach your location within 24 hours in an emergency situation.
What is the cost of emergency roof repair services?
Depending on the extent of the damage, repair costs can range anywhere from $750 to $15,000.