When a roof collapses, there could be chaos in the aftermath. If you don’t want to put yourself or your family at risk, use to guide to arm your defenses.
The Defensive Strategy
In order to catch roof problems early, you must learn how to recognize the signs. If you have concerns, be on the lookout for these hazards.
Weather Damage
Follow every major weather event, go outside, climb a ladder, and perform a basic roof inspection. If you discover any flaws on your roof, schedule roof maintenance or repairs in a timely manner. If you delay maintenance or repairs, water will make its way to the foundation of the roof, and eventually, the roof will collapse.
Sagging
A roof’s foundation is secured with support beams. If water compromises these beams, they will begin to sag. There is no way to inspect the foundation or the beams as they lie underneath the surface of a roof. However, there is a way to combat this issue.
To get started, walk far away from your home until you can see your entire roof. If the roof appears level and balanced, it’s in good condition, but if you can clearly spot a dip on the surface of your roof, contact of roofer immediately because the roof is starting to cave in.
Cracks
If there are cracks on your walls and ceilings, this could mean that your roof is about to collapse. The cracks generate in these locations because the weight of a roof creates pressure when it can no longer support itself. This is another scenario where should contact a roofer immediately.
Leaks
In most homes, the majority of leaks originate from a roof. There are a few reasons why leaks generate here. A roof could leak because:
- It’s old
- It has damage
- There is pressure on the foundation
- It has missing shingles
If your roof has a leak, address it in a timely manner. Do not delay maintenance or repairs. If you do, a minor leak could develop into a major problem, and your roof could collapse.
How to Take Action
It’s possible to prevent a roof from collapsing, and it all starts with willpower and awareness. Here are a few things you can do to strengthen your defenses.
Go outside and remove all debris off your roof once a week. You should target branches, leaves, dirt, and nests.
From time to time, climb on your roof, and search for dark spots. If these spots are present, this means that your roof has bacteria. You must remove the bacteria immediately before bacteria damage compromises your roof’s structural integrity.
Check your shingles for any signs of mold or moss. If there is any mold or moss on your roof, wash the surfaces with a pressure washer.
Travel to the top floor in your home, and carefully search the ceilings for water spots. In most homes, the target destination is the attic. If your ceilings have water spots, you may need to schedule a roof inspection.
What You Should Do If Your Roof Is About to Collapse
If your roof is about to collapse, get everyone out of the home. Everyone should stay out of the home until the problem has been resolved.
Next, contact a reputable roofing company, and schedule emergency roof maintenance. Then, call your home insurance provider, and find out what you’ll need to do to file a claim. If your roof is in poor shape due to an act of nature, the insurance company should cover the cost of the repairs.
When it’s safe to enter your home, carefully remove all of your belongings. If you have furniture that is directly under a leak, slide it to another area. For minor leaks, you could catch the water with a bucket. If you have items that you can’t move, a large plastic bag or a tarp can keep these items dry. If you’re not able to access your home during the repair process, be patience and wait until it’s safe to do so.
What You Should Not Do
An unstable roof is a dangerous roof, so do not try to cover your roof with a tarp if it’s about to collapse. If you accidentally step on a vulnerable spot, the roof will cave in, and you could injure yourself.
Trust Is a Must
If you need a roof inspection, roof maintenance, or roof repairs, you must work with roofers you can trust. Trustworthy roofers will always get the job correctly the first time. If you need a roofing team, don’t hire average Joes. Turn to the South Texas Roofing Pros.