A quick guide to roofing emergencies

A Quick Guide to Roofing Emergencies


What Causes Roofing Emergencies

PART 1

A roofing emergency may not rank among the worst possible things that can happen in your lifetime, but that doesn’t mean it can be easily dismissed. And it can happen to anybody, which is why it is so important that you learn to recognize one when you see it.



The ability to spot a roofing emergency is a crucial first step because it allows you to take early action and prevent the situation from escalating. Let’s start with the most common causes of roofing emergencies.

INCLEMENT WEATHERThe vast majority of roofing emergencies are caused by hurricanes, high winds, hailstorms and other inclement weather events. (We’ll cover this in better detail in Part 3.) Even fluctuations in extreme temperatures can result in significant roof damage.

BLOCKED DRAINAGEPonding is an issue most commonly associated with flat roofs, and its primary cause is a blocked drainage system. Ponding weakens the roof material over time and can result in roof failure if not addressed early.

ANIMAL DAMAGESquirrels, raccoons, rats, birds and other small animals can cause extensive damage to a roof, especially during fall and winter. While the most common issues they cause are water damage and torn insulation, an infestation can also constitute a major fire hazard if the animals gnaw through electrical wiring.



OTHER CAUSESImpact (e.g. from falling tree branches), fire, earthquakes, roof age, etc.

While these causes may seem self-evident, the resultant damage isn’t always obvious. People think of roofing emergencies as events where, say, a section of the roof develops a massive leak during a rainstorm and the water comes pouring in. What they don’t realize is that the weather itself isn’t always the actual cause of the emergency. In fact, you may already have an impending roofing emergency and not even know it.

So if some roofing emergencies develop over time, what can you do to keep them from getting worse? Stick around for Part Two of this e-book to find out.


How to Prevent Roofing Emergencies

PART 2

This section on prevention is perhaps the most important part of this entire e-book. You might think that the best thing to learn about roofing emergencies is how to keep your head and manage the situation while it’s happening, but you’d be wrong. More often than not, roofing problems that constitute a major emergency develop over time, so—to use a much-abused proverb—an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.



Your best shot at limiting the chances of roofing emergencies is to make sure your roof is equipped for the worst. Two things are integral to that goal.

Existing damage – leaks, missing or broken roof material, sagging decks, wood rot, mold and mildew spots, peeling paint on interior and exterior walls, etc.

Potential issues – granule loss, curling or buckling shingles, clogged gutters or downspouts, corroded flashing, standing water, etc.

Each part of your roofing system will be rated good, fair or poor. Anything that scores a “fair” must be more thoroughly inspected, while anything with a “poor” rating must be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

#1 ROUTINE INSPECTIONSAccording to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), roof inspections must be conducted twice a year—once in spring and again during fall. During an inspection, your contractor will evaluate both the interior and exterior parts of your roof for:



#2 SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE

Nobody doubts the role maintenance plays in extending a roof’s lifespan, but too many property owners are still lax about it. In order to prevent roofing emergencies, you need both preventive and reactive maintenance. Preventive maintenance addresses potential issues, while reactive maintenance corrects existing damage before they get a chance to worsen.

Like roof inspection, maintenance should also be scheduled twice a year—once before the start of the most severe season and again after. Depending on where you live, the harshest season for roofs is either summer or winter, which is why it makes sense to have your inspections and maintenance work done at the same time.



ABOUT MOISTURE SURVEYSBesides inspections and general maintenance, periodic moisture surveys are also highly recommended. The purpose of these surveys is to measure the amount of moisture present in a roof and to document where the moisture is located. The goal is to help homeowners make an informed decision on where to focus their maintenance activities.

Moisture surveys can be done using three different types of systems:

Infrared scanner – determines the amount of heat lost or retained through the insulation (wet materials conduct heat better than dry materials)

Nuclear isotopic meter – sends hydrogen ions into the roof and determines the number of ions that bounce back (the presence of water on the roof ups the hydrogen ion count)

Electrical capacitance and resistance meter – measures the electrical conductivity of roof materials (wet materials conduct electricity better than dry materials)

But what should you do when you’re already at the point where immediate intervention from a roofing contractor is necessary? That’s what we’ll find out in Part Three of this e-book.


What to Do in a Roofing Emergency

PART 3

Among the causes of roofing emergencies listed in Part One, inclement weather is arguably the worst for a homeowner as you have to act fast right then and there to stave off the possibility of further damage. Bad weather can also worsen any existing damage exponentially. Let’s assume that you’ll be dealing with this kind of situation as we talk about the appropriate response plan.



YOUR ACTION PLANWhen you’re faced with an emergency, how you handle the first few minutes matters a lot. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Ensure your own safety. Never compromise your safety for the sake of damage prevention. It isn’t a fair tradeoff. Do not attempt to get on your roof to check out the damage yourself. If there is a risk of electrical shock, turn off the breakers that supply power to the affected areas.

2. Call for help. Stay calm and call a trusted local contractor. If you can, go out of your house and do a ground-level check to get an idea of the extent of the damage. Try to give your roofer as much detail as possible.

3. Protect the interior of your home. While waiting for the roofer to arrive, isolate the damage by placing buckets to collect the water leaking from your roof. Protect your furniture and other possessions by covering them with tarps or drop cloths. If possible, clear the room or the area directly beneath the leak. Mop up your floors occasionally to prevent slips as well as damage to hardwood floors.



WHAT YOUR ROOFER WILL DOOnce the roofing crew gets to your home, the first priority will be preventing further water infiltration. If the damage isn’t extensive, they can do quick repairs; otherwise, they will install a temporary protective cover. This emergency tarp should hold until the weather clears up, at which point they’ll return to do a more thorough assessment of the damage.

Your contractor will then sit you down to talk about the necessary permanent repairs and preventative measures against future repeats.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Keeping your head in a roofing emergency is really about preparation. If you have a working action plan, you’ll be better able to stay calm and think clearly when the worst comes.

Make sure you include your roofer’s hotline in your list of emergency contacts. If you’ve never worked with a roofer before, check your directory for licensed local contractors. Verify their credentials and read reviews from past clients before deciding on a company to hire.

Good luck, and stay safe!


AFFORDABLE ROOFING SYSTEMS12573 N. U.S. Highway 301 Thonotosassa, FL 33592

(813) 986-6683(813) 400-2515

www.AffordableRoofingFlorida.com

http://www.AffordableRoofingFlorida.com

Date post:	17-Jan-2017
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A quick guide to roofing emergencies

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