Many people panic when they come across water dripping from the roof. Though the initial instinct is to resolve the issue alone, it is important to understand that roof leaks can lead to considerable problems, often unrealized until someone's health or structure is damaged. Working with experts familiar with stopping roof leaks will save time and money. The following are important things to remember if you face a roof leak.

FIND THE LEAK

When you discover a leak, take the first few minutes and relocate any items in the vicinity to stop them from suffering water damage. Use buckets, garbage cans, or whatever else you have available to hold the water. With a screwdriver, puncture the bulge drooping from the ceiling at its lowest point to reduce water pressure, capturing the water in a container. If you can, tarp over the problematic area. Take photos and video to record the situation for insurance purposes. Contact a professional roofing company to mend the affected area and review other roof portions.

CALL SERVICEMASTER BY MOLINE

Professionally trained disaster restoration are experts in water and mold mitigation. What might not seem like a problem could actually become a health concern or structural concern in your home if left untreated. ServiceMaster by Moline will give important consultation, explaining what happened, why it happened, and how to treat the leak for your health and home structure. 

Sometimes, it is cost-effective to treat the issue yourself. However, often insurance covers the entire mitigation process. It's important to work with ServiceMaster by Moline as we do mold testing and air quality testing. Where there may not be mold in an effected area, ServiceMaster by Moline can do an air quality test to determine if there is mold in the air, and discover if the leak impacted other areas of the home where mold has started.

DOES MY ROOF NEED TO BE REPLACED?

Though several things could point out that your roof is not functioning, one sign alone is not a definite signal that the roof requires a complete replacement. If you are concerned about any visible signs of destruction to your roof, a specialist can help you to decide whether an entire replacement is essential.

Unfastened, split, harmed or absent shingles

Incomplete, slack, or impaired shingles can be destructive to the reliability of your roof and can result in difficulties such as water destruction and shortage of insulation. Identifying exposed sections on the roof where shingles are missing or harmed can be challenging. Roofers tend to be much quicker at recognizing absent shingles than property owners. However, if you would like to check for yourself, you can do so from the ground with binoculars or with the aid of a drone while making sure to keep both feet firmly on the ground. Be sure to observe each shingle to make certain they are resting flat. Any shingles that are not there will immediately stand out. If there are enough shingles damaged or exposed nails, merely repairing the roof will not suffice; you will need a full replacement.

Indicators of water destruction, mold, or decay

Boards of wood that stretch across the trusses of the roof are referred to as roof decking or sheathing. Damp wood decking leads to wood rot, which can bring about issues in additional portions of the house. You can usually observe if your roof has wood rot, if the roof deck has dark spots, discoloration, crumbles, or cracks, feels soft, or has a damp, musty odor. Roofers can also spot wood rot by stepping on shingles above the rot and feeling them give more than usual. If you suspect that you have wood rot, contact a professional home inspector. Early indications of water damage to the roof can be hard to identify until the harm becomes severe. These are some signs of water destruction to be aware of:

• Fungal and mold growth, which can lower air quality.
• Bulging or bowing, which can be visible on the roof from the outside, the shingles above this part of the roof might not function correctly, and the roof decking could eventually fall in.
• Destruction of wood in the house, including structural wood.
• Harmed insulation, which can raise the cost of cooling and heating the house.
• Destruction to other home systems, like the electrical system, specifically if wood rot goes unresolved.