You come home from work, and your home is dripping with water. What could have gone wrong? Apart from leaving the water running, there is only one answer: the roof is damaged. Roofs play a massive part in keeping the home safe and free from damage. But, they come into contact with extreme elements on a daily basis, and they can easily break. If you ever come across this scenario, you need to know how to react to minimise the damage. Plus, no one wants to live with a hole in the roof, even if it is for a couple of days. These are the basic steps you should take should the worse happen.
Cover The Leak
First and foremost, you need to stop external elements from entering your property. Until you cover the damage, you won’t be able to restore the roof because the water will continue to gush. To begin with, a makeshift cover suffice such as a waterproof sheet. As long as it keeps the weather outside, to a degree, it is exactly what you need.
Figure Out What Is Causing The Damage
Next, you need to address the situation. Why did the roof break in the first place? Only once you find the answer to this question can you start to fix the problem. Yes, you might be able to get a builder in to fix the roof. But, if it is more than a simple leak the water will still drain into the house and the problem will persist.
Check The Internet For Advice
The Internet is your best friend for one reason: advice Firstly, you can find expert advice without having to pay for the privilege. Homeowners who have had previous experiences with damaged roofs will gladly give you a few tips and pointers on what might be wrong. And secondly, you can use their advice to cut the costs of the repairs. When you know what the situation is, you can research what materials you need to buy to make the necessary fixes. Even if you don’t make the repairs yourself, you won’t have to pay a contractor to source the materials.
Buy Materials
If you know what you need, you should buy them for the reason above. No self-respecting contractor will turn up at a job and turn up their nose at someone who is prepared. In fact, they will be happy that they have everything ready to do the job. You should be wary of someone who has a problem with you getting the materials for them. Some roofers use materials to up their budget and make more money.
Hire A Pro
Roofs are notoriously difficult to fix, which is why you should leave it to the professionals. Unless you have experience in the field, you will do more damage than good. One quick look at http://www.fergusonroofing.com/residential-roofing/ will provide you with everything you need to know.
The last thing to remember is to get it done as quickly as possible. Of course, you never want to sacrifice quality. But, you cannot live in a house that has a hole in the roof. You need to find the perfect combination of quality and efficiency.
