Roof Leaks and Water Damage

When your roof is doing its job, it keeps your home protected from the elements. Wind, rain, hail, and snow won’t get into your house and cause damage. Should your roof fail, then bad things can happen. One of the worst is water damage.

There are many problems that can come from water damage, including issues with structural integrity and the growth of mold and mildew. Both of these can cause health hazards, so getting water damage taken care of as soon as possible is beneficial.

Water damage can occur in many forms, from a small leak to a huge downpour when part of the roof is damaged or torn off in a storm. Below are some ways to deal with water damage and decide if you need roof repair or replacement.

Document the Damage

The first step you’ll want to take is to document the damage that has occurred. This can be used to file an insurance claim and let them see exactly what happened. You’ll want to take pictures of the items that were damaged, as well as any structural issues. You’ll also need to find the source of the leak and take photos of that as well. The more photos you can take, the more evidence and documentation you’ll have.

Call a Professional Roofer

Once you’ve photographed the damage, you’ll then need to call in a professional roofer to have them inspect the roof and give you a repair estimate. You’ll need to have a written statement from the company that has details about the problem, what may have caused the problem, and how much it will cost to fix.

At this point, you don’t need to commit to a contractor to have the roof fixed, but you do need to have information. This will help both you and the insurance company understand what’s going on and what needs to be done with the roof.

Know Your Insurance Rights

Before calling your insurance company, you’ll need to determine if your coverage takes care of water damage from a leaking roof. More than likely, as long as the damage wasn’t caused by failure on your part or willful negligence of the home, it’s possible the damage and cost will be covered by your insurance policy.

Having your home damaged by water from a leaky roof can be stressful and devastating. Knowing how to navigate the issue and talking to a professional can help.

At Horn Brothers Roofing, we will do what we can to help you through this situation and get you the information you need.