A roof emergency is any homeowner’s worst nightmare, and it can happen at any time. Your roof plays a big part in keeping you, your family, your possessions, and your home safe, so sudden leaks or damage can be scary. Inclement weather, age, and more can damage a roof and leave you with a big problem. You may find yourself overwhelmed and wondering what to do or where to start.
When you do need an emergency roof repair in Brighton, it’s essential to act quickly in order to prevent more damage. Here’s how to tell if that leak in your roof really can wait until morning and what you need to do if it can’t. If you need further information, don’t hesitate to visit https://brightonroofingcontractors.com/ for expert knowledge.
When Is a Roof Repair Immediately Necessary?
Some things just can’t wait, and there are certain times when a roof problem needs to be taken care of right away. How can you tell if a problem needs to be addressed immediately? First off, a good rule of thumb is to consider any roof problem urgent by default.
Since your roof protects your home, you, your family, and your belongings from weather and debris, any damage should be repaired as soon as possible. However, here are a few examples of a true emergency situation.
- Something falls on your house, such as a tree or large branch. Fallen trees are unstable, and there is always the potential for further damage. Leave the house immediately if this happens.
- You can see the sky. If there is a hole in your roof, do not wait to address it. If you can, find a tarp to cover the hole until the roofing company gets there in order to prevent rain, leaves, insects, and more from getting into your home.
- If there’s a steady leak. Minor leaks may seem like an inconvenience that can wait, but if you’re noticing a steady stream of water, you’ll need a repair sooner rather than later. Leaks often occur after severe weather events, of which there were 459 reported in Colorado over the course of 2020.
Step 1: Keep Yourself Safe
The first and most important thing you should do when faced with roof damage is to make sure you and your family are safe. In the case of something like a fallen tree or a fire, which may cause structural instability, leave the home and make the necessary calls from your yard, a neighbor’s house, or another safe location. Call 911 if anyone needs medical attention.
Step 2: Call Your Insurance Company
Before you call anyone else, get in contact with your insurance company to let them know what happened. Give them details such as what time the damage occurred or when you first noticed it, the cause of the damage if you know what happened, and what rooms or areas of the house were affected.
Do not compromise your safety to do so, but if you are able to take photos and videos, this may help support your insurance claim. The insurance company will send someone out to assess the damage. After that, you’ll likely receive a summary of the damages in the next few days, along with the approval or denial of your claim.
Step 3: Contact A Roofing Company
The next step after speaking with your insurance company is to call a trustworthy 24-hour roofing company near you. Tell them the same things you told the insurance company: what damage you’ve noticed, the affected areas of the house, and the cause of the damage, if you know. They may ask you for other information about your house or the damage so that they know what equipment they need to bring, as well as how many roofers will need to work on the house.
Step 4: Salvaging Your Possessions
Keep in mind that if your home is unsafe to be in, you may need to leave this step to a professional. However, if you are experiencing a severe leak or another emergency that has not compromised the structural integrity of the home, you should work on salvaging whatever possessions you can while you wait for the roofing company. Remove belongings such as photos and documents first, since paper items are challenging to recover once they’ve been torn up or damaged by water.
Next, either move furniture out of the way (out of the room entirely if possible) or cover it with a tarp to protect it. Electronics should be unplugged in case water enters the home. However, if there’s already water inside, do not try to unplug them. You could be electrocuted.
Can I Stay In My House?
Depending on the severity of the damage and how long the repair will take, you may or may not want to find somewhere to stay while your roof is fixed. If there is a hole in the roof, you’ll likely be able to just stay in a different room while it’s fixed. However, if you need a total roof replacement, it might be more convenient to find a friend or family member to stay with or head to a hotel for a few days.
Having to leave your home after an emergency roofing situation can be stressful and overwhelming, so if you can stay with someone familiar, that’ll help reduce the stress around the situation.
What If My Claim Gets Denied?
Receiving a claim denial from the insurance company is scary and discouraging, especially when dealing with an emergency, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the road. You can appeal or dispute a denial by requesting a re-inspection.
You may also ask your contractor to speak with the insurance adjuster when they come to reassess the property. The contractor can show the adjuster damage that may have slipped their notice during the first inspection.
Roof Repair in Brighton – Leave it to the Pros
If you’re in need of a roof repair in Brighton, you need to call a qualified roofing company to assist you. First, make sure you and your family are safe and take all the proper steps listed above. As long as you work with a reputable roofing contractor, the roof repair emergency will be handled in a stress-free and straightforward way that makes you comfortable and gives you peace of mind.
