Are you in the middle of a roof-leaking emergency? Don't panic. There are a few simple steps you can take while you await Longhorn Roofing's rescue!
You may need to summon your inner Do-It-Yourself-er but we're confident you can.
A small leak can quickly turn into multiple big leaks that call for an emergency roof repair. You don't want to turn into one of those frantic Looney Tunes characters, running from one end of the house to the other, stretching yourself thin trying to plug all the holes with all your appendages, and catching the falling rain with the pot and pan set you got for your wedding.
Okay, so that scenario is rather entertaining, but fortunately, highly unlikely.
Calling us for your leaky roof repair is so much easier!
Saying that, we can definitely help you prevent a leak... or leaks... from getting out of control.
What are the 4 best ways to handle an emergency roof repair?
1. Turn off the Electricity
For starters - is the leaking rainwater headed in the direction of any electrical outlets or appliances? Go to your breaker box first and shut off the electricity.
Unplug electrical appliances and make sure the cords are safely protected from rainwater. Elevate your appliances and secure any long cords with twist ties if needed.
If you have little kids around the house, you might own a set of child safety plug socket covers. If so, inserting these little plastic plugs into the electrical sockets in affected rooms gives them an extra layer of protection.
Okay, now you can deal with the leak.
2. Catch and Drain the Rain
The water has to go somewhere... make sure it doesn't absorb into your walls or drywall. Placing a bucket in the attic can collect much of this pesky rain water. If things get really crazy, and you see that part of your ceiling is sagging, you can even poke a hole in it to drain the water in a controlled fashion.
While placing a tarp on your roof is a sure fired way to prevent water damage, it is also extremely dangerous to do, especially during a storm! Once the storm is over, though, that’s when the fun begins. When you’re sure the weather has passed, it’s a good idea to carefully put that tarp up.
Not everyone knows this, but plenty of insurance companies actually require you to put up a tarp after you notice leaks. This prevents the damage from getting worse until you can get it repaired. Don’t let that little rule catch you by surprise… make sure you take care of it once the weather is clear.
That’ll also help you save more money on your roof repair!
But if you’re not confident doing that yourself, stay safe and let Longhorn do it for you!
3. Protect Your Stuff
Do you have valuable belongings, or carpet or hardwood floors that are in danger of water damage? Place a blanket or tarp over them!
If you have lots of stuff in the path of the leak, quickly assess what you need to move right away. Don’t cart anything up into the attic – that’s the worst place to be while leaks are spreading! A bedroom or guest room on the opposite side of the house from the leak is the safest place to put your stuff. Then cover it in case a new leak springs.
Another option for securing your valuables in an emergency is the garage. A well-built Austin garage has a very strong roof. Even when you need roof repair for the rest of the home, you’ll usually find that your garage is in great shape. Strange but true!
4. Call the Emergency Roof Repair Experts!
Call Longhorn Roofing at (512) 982-6070 for Austin roof repair emergencies. We also do new roof installations in the case of extreme water damage.
We’ll send someone over as soon as possible, but it’s a good idea to get on the schedule as soon as you can so your roof repair will be done faster! Things get busy for Austin roofers after any big storm, and we want to be sure we get to you promptly!
Want to help out? Before you call, do a walk-through of the house and identify how many leaks you have and where they are. This will get us off to a good start when we visit. You can also check your roof from ground level to let us know if there’s damage to your shingles or gutters.
We don't recommend you climb up onto your roof, especially during a storm, but some may find this option suits them: shingles can be replaced, and patches can be installed. Just make sure you know exactly what you're doing if you go this route. It’s easy to damage your roof by accident.
If you're unsure what your next steps should be, contact us by calling the number above or click the button below to fill out a form for a free estimate. We look forward to hearing from you.
