No matter how small or large a leaking roof might appear, it’s an emergency. A tiny leak can soon develop into a significant problem, and a large leak can quickly wreak havoc in your home. Sometimes, small leaks can gradually cause massive water damage and compromise your home’s structural integrity, calling for a full roof replacement. Here are factors that could determine whether a roof leak is an emergency or not:
1. Disruption of Living
A roof leak is treated as an emergency if it impacts the building occupants’ daily living routines. If there’s a slow and tiny leak, but you can still go about your business as usual without interruptions, it may not be considered a roofing emergency. However, the leak still calls for an immediate repair appointment with a professional roofer.
Conversely, a severe leak that forces a homeowner to vacate the property for several hours or days to seek temporary shelter is considered a roofing emergency. Rainwater actively dripping down from your ceiling and leaving behind puddles on the floor is undoubtedly a roofing emergency. Until the roof is repaired, secure the affected areas and evacuate the building to prevent potential electrical fire hazards.
2. Damaged Electronics
Water doesn’t mix with many electrical equipment and appliances. A leak over electrical equipment would be considered an emergency. Whether it’s a tiny or massive leak, water has the potential to damage equipment, trigger an electrical fire, and cause serious injuries. Junction boxes containing uncovered electrical wires can also become electrically charged if they contact water from a leaking roof.
If you notice such a leak, switch off the main power and contact a licensed electrician and your roofing contractor. Your roofer will fix the leak as soon as possible, while the electrician will ensure life and appliances are not endangered.
3. Worsening Water Damage
Water may penetrate through your roof’s decking, insulation, framing, and other materials and find its way inside your home. Structural damage is often the most obvious sign of a severe and long-standing leak. It may show up in the form of damage to:
- Ceiling joists
- Rafters
- Wall framing
- Trim
- Decking
- Fascia and Soffit
Unfortunately, leaky roofs will never get better on their own. Even if the leak doesn’t look bad yet, be sure to get it fixed as soon as possible. A small leak may not be an immediate emergency, but over time, it can grow larger and cause significant damage to your home.
To determine the severity of a roof leak, check the speed at which water droplets fall. If they are fast and big, call a reliable roofing company for emergency leak repair. But if they are small and slow, it would not be an emergency, but you should still have the issue addressed quickly.
Final Thoughts
Alan’s Roofing is your ultimate roofing contractor in Central Florida. We provide emergency roofing services and preventative maintenance for a wide range of residential and commercial roofing systems. Our experienced roofing specialists will inspect your roof and fix those leaks to ensure your home is protected for the long haul. Get in touch with us today to get a free roof leak repair estimate.
