Category Archives: Roofing Emergency

How to Fix A Leak in the Ceiling – Steps and Methods

A damp patch on your ceiling is a serious issue that not only ruins the appearance and the atmosphere of your room, but it also indicates serious water damage that can become worse if you don’t address the problem right away, so here are a few tips about how to fix a leak in the ceiling.

Prevent Accidents and Floor Damage

The first thing to do when you notice the leak is to stop the electricity in the room, then to contain the water that comes from the ceiling. Puncture the ceiling with a suitable tool, such as a screwdriver to drain the water, then remove the debris that has fallen from the ceiling, wipe up as much of the water as you can, then lay down cloths on the floor and place buckets under the leak to keep the floor and the furnishing items in the room dry and damage-free.

roof leak repair

The Importance of Identifying the Source

It is impossible to fix a leak properly without getting rid of root cause first. Go up to the attic and identify any signs of water damage that have caused the leak. The most common leak sources are air conditioning pipes that have cracked or have become punctured or cracks and holes on the roof.

Before you go up to the attic, stop and unplug your air conditioner and any electricity that goes to the attic to avoid any accidents caused by the contact between electricity and water. Look for dampness on the attic floor and trace the dampness up to the source – if you find that the problem has been caused by a faulty pipe, call an AC repair technician right away. If you suspect that the culprit is a crack or a puncture of the roof, inspect the roof underlayment, then continue the identification process on the surface of the roof. Remove as much water as you can from the attic floor and then inspect the roofing underlayment to see if you can do anything to dry it, too.

The Roof Repair Process

If you could identify the source of the leak on the roof, you can replace the damaged roofing components, such as cracked tiles or torn shingles.

The Ceiling Repair Process

This phase comes after the source of the leak has been identified and the problem has been addressed to prevent recurring leaks. When the damp patch has dried completely, turn off the electricity in the room, then remove the damaged paint and mortar or the damaged drywall with a utility saw or a prying instrument. If you have a mortar and paint surface, reapply the mortar, then repaint the damaged area, while in the case of damaged drywall, cut out a suitably sized piece of drywall and install it according to the instruction to replace the damaged part and then reapply the painting as well.

This is how to fix a leak in the ceiling on your own – if you consider the procedure too complicated or you want to make sure it is all done professionally, call roofing contractors Omaha experts and then a professional house painter to handle the issue.

Types of Services to Look for When Contracting the Best Flagstaff Residential Roofing Companies

Each roofing company is unique, and while some might specialize in repairing leaks and fixing broken shingles, others deal more with modern membrane roofing upgrades and high end energy-efficient roof installation.

When you’re looking for a well-rounded roofing company, however, there are a few specific services you have to check for regardless of the roofers’ specialization. Those services will determine whether or not you can rely on the company to take care of any roofing problem in good time, or at least provide you with adequate information to help you out.

 

Mainstream Services to Look for

To get the most out of your experience with local Flagstaff residential roofing companies, the following services are an essential requirement that any company you plan on working with should be able to provide:

  • Each company you come in contact with should be able to provide Flagstaff roofers emergency support for repairs in case leaks or other problems might damage your home.
  • Free estimates, roofing inspections and roof maintenance programs are also a must.
  • Make sure the company you want to hire can offer reliable repair, replacement and upgrading work for all the most important roofing elements, including skylights, chimneys and flashing.
  • Also find out if they can handle replacing or repairing all the main types of roofing, including shingles, tiles, flat membrane roofing and metal panels.
  • Get information on the cities they target, and make sure Flagstaff, AZ is among them. Also, try to avoid large companies that have their main headquarters hundreds of miles away.
  • Finally, even though it’s not necessarily a requirement, it’s always better to work together with a contractor that has experience in both residential and commercial roofing.

 

Less Common Services You May Require

Most Flagstaff residential roofing companies deal with the removal of old, cracked and broken shingles and the fixing of common causes of leaks. Since the area is not overly rainy or snowy – Flagstaff experiences up to 270 dry days each year – water damage isn’t usually a problem, so you don’t have to look for more than the basics. However, the intense sunshine and dryness, as well as the extremely cold winter temperatures brought about by the city’s high elevation (over 2,000 meters) makes for a far more challenging problem for roofers to deal with.

Taking all this into consideration, the most efficient types of roofing materials you should look for in Flagstaff include metal, composite shingle, slate, membrane roofing and various types of energy-efficient roofing solutions designed to keep the heat inside your home and prevent hefty electricity bills.

Additionally, check to see if the roofers you want to hire are well-versed in dealing with the effects of dry weather, increased sunshine and extreme temperature changes on roofing tiles and shingles. These may include cracked shingles, impaired ventilation and insulation issues. Also, long term maintenance should be considered unless you want to be forced to repair your roof every spring.

These services will help you get the most out of your roof even if you own the least expensive asphalt shingle roofing system without any upgrades. Your roof will last for years without the need for major repairs or replacements.