2 Things To Do When You Notice Your Roof Leaking During A Heavy Rainstorm
While a storm dumps rain on your home, you may have discovered water dripping or streaming in from your ceiling. Especially if you have not noticed a leak during past rainstorms, you may feel a little panicky and not sure what to do.
Besides picking up the phone to call a roofer to come and fix your roof, you also need to take action yourself. Below are a couple of things that you should do as soon as you notice that your roof is leaking during a heavy rainstorm
1. Take Steps to Reduce the Severity of Water Damage Inside Your Home
The first thing that you need to do when you notice water coming from your ceiling because of a leaking roof is to take immediate steps to reduce the severity of water damage inside your home. These steps begin with moving any furniture or other possessions away from the area.
After you have done this, use a bucket, pan, or bowl to catch the water if it is coming from the center of the room. If the water is streaming down the walls, try tapping a long sheet of aluminum foil directly under the leaking area and direct the other end into a bucket to catch the water.
2. Go Outside and See What Is Happening on the Roof If the Storm Is Not Too Severe
Once you have taken steps to minimize the water damage, the next thing you can do is to go outside and see what is happening with your roof. Only do this, however, if there is no severe weather other than rain, such as lightning or hail.
While you are outside, look for any areas where shingles are missing. Also, look to see if the gutters are overflowing in one area or if water is collecting on one part of the roof. Anything that you notice that seems out of the ordinary can help the roofer pinpoint the problem area, especially if the issues are only visible during heavy rain.
Along with taking steps to make sure that the damage to your home's interior is minimized and attempting to discover clues as to where and why your roof is leaking, you should also call someone as soon as possible to have them inspect your roof. Contact a roofing company in your area either during or shortly after the rain stops to schedule an appointment for them to determine the cause of the leak so that they can formulate a plan of action to fix it before the next storm hits.