How to Avoid Water Damage to Your Roof from Leaks and Bad Weather

2020/09/24

When it comes to your roof, it should be the first line of defense between the hazardous weather outside, and your home on the inside. For your roof to provide peace, comfort, and security from the elements, maintaining your roofs ability to perform means taking action at the first signs of water damage.

Water damage to your roof from leaks can allow moisture to creep into the home, which can create major and expensive problems. If you see signs of potential damage, such as water stains on the ceiling, it's crucial to contact your insurance company or a reliable roofing company, like Centennial Roofing, as soon as possible. Delaying repairs can lead to worsening damage, additional costs, and compounding problems. Acting fast will keep those problems to a minimum.

Inspecting Your Roof for Water Damage

Finding leaks early on is critical to preventing further damage and keeping repair costs down. The good news is, there are simple steps you can take now to help you avoid that process.

Regular roof inspections are the best way to prevent water damage on your roof. You should make a point to inspect your roof, or have it inspected at least twice a year. Keep this in mind especially after major weather events like hurricanes and heavy rain to make sure it's in good condition.

If you can, try to conduct as much of your inspection from the ground—climbing up and down ladders can become a safety issue, especially if you have a steep roof or if you have multiple floors. When it's time to get a closer look, it's best to contact a professional roofing company to do the inspection since they have all the necessary safety equipment, as well as the proper knowledge on what to look for.

When looking at your roof, try to gauge the condition of your shingles. If there is lifting, ripping, or missing shingles, there is a strong chance you may have leakage. In addition, pay close attention to the areas around any penetrations on your roof, such as skylights,  pipes, and chimney vents. These areas are covered by flashings. If there's any tearing or lifting of the flashings, there may be damage there too.

It’s also important to keep in mind, that you may not be able to see evidence of water damage from the outside of your home, so be sure to check the underside of your roof as well. This includes looking in the attic for signs of water getting in like staining of the underside of the deck, ceiling, or walls.

Insurance and Your Roof

If you do find signs of water damage, immediate reporting to your insurance company could save you money. Insurance payouts are based on the damage at the time the leak occurs. If you wait a few months to report a leak and even more damage occurs in the meantime, your insurance may not compensate you for those additional needed repairs.

So what will your insurance pay for? The exact answer will, of course, come from your insurance agency and depend on your insurance policy. Many homeowner's insurance policies will cover water damage caused by bad weather (with the exception of flooding, which requires separate insurance).

However, damages to your home caused by lack of maintenance aren't covered by most policies. So if you have a leak in your roof caused by a maintenance issue, such as worn-out roofing materials, you may have to pay for the repairs yourself.

The possibility of dealing with roof water damage may seem tiresome and frustrating, but executing some proactive measures, and taking quick action if you do uncover a problem, can keep you at ease.

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