Roofing emergencies are a homeowner’s worst nightmare. No one wants to deal with them, but unfortunately, they can occur anytime. When a roofing emergency happens, a timely response can prevent it from snowballing into a major concern while saving you money on potentially even larger issues.
Some of the common roofing emergencies we see as a Contra Costa tile roof repair company include pest damage, leaks, and falling tree/branch damage.
Pest Damage
Pests, including birds, rodents, bees, termites, squirrels and ants, can cause serious structural damage and even contaminate your crawlspace or attic. Birds can get stuck in your gutters and downspouts. Their nests can clog your gutters and cause moisture damage while their droppings are highly acidic and can damage roofing materials.
Squirrels and rodents can chew through wood with little difficulty. Termites eat wood and can weaken the structure beneath your roof. Carpenter bees can compromise your roof’s structural integrity.
Ants can cause structural damage to your roof. Unlike many other pests that eat away at wood, ants carve through wood to create nesting tunnels. Here are surefire ways to tell you have pests in your roof.
- Droppings such as tiny pieces of fecal matter and urine stains in the area
- Damaged shrubbery – small bite marks on your plants
- Bird and insect nests in different parts of your roof
- Signs of structural damage such as scratches or random holes on the floor of your attic, or gnaw marks on the walls and furniture in your attic
If you notice these signs, reach out to a pest control company as soon as possible. A local pest control company will eliminate pests and thoroughly clean the area (to get rid of pest nests, fecal matter and droppings).
After you have gotten rid of pests, hire a tile roofing company for Contra Costa tile roof repair. Your roofing contractor will assess the damage and repair damaged structures. The professional will get to the root cause of pest infestation and keep them from coming back.
Regular roof maintenance will keep pests at bay. During a maintenance session, your roofing contractor will identify vulnerable areas and potential entry points for pests, and fix them. We also recommend scheduling pest control at least once every year.
Roof Leaks
A leaky roof is a recipe for disaster. In addition to damaging structures and causing mold growth, water dripping from your roof can create slippery surfaces. Wet surfaces are the number one cause of slips, trips and falls.
Some common signs of roof leaks are:
- Unsightly water spots on your ceiling or walls
- Excess moisture in your attic or crawlspace
- Roof tile damage
- Granule loss – a number of granules are loose
- Mold or mildew growing in your crawlspace or attic
- Sagging or bulging drywall
If water from your roof is dripping into your house, place a bucket or pot under the leak to minimize water damage. Clean the area thoroughly andcover or move any items in the area to another room. Use fans in the area to dry carpet and upholstered furniture.
If you can locate the leak, place a plastic tarp over it to stop more water from getting into your home. Fixing a leak involves getting on top of the roof. Do not try to climb on your roof when as you can slip and injure yourself.
Once you have contained the leak, reach out to a tile roof repair expert in Contra Costa County. Your roofing contractor will diagnose the leak. Once the professional determines the cause of the problem, they will create and implement a corrective action plan.
A Tree or Branch Fell on Your Roof
Tree branches are very heavy. If a tree branch falls on your roof, it can cause significant damage to your roofing system. Tree branches hanging over your roof can scrape asphalt or whole tiles from your roof.
If a tree branch has fallen over your roof, first and foremost, ensure your family’s safety. If the branch has damaged a nearby power line or electrical equipment, call your utility company immediately and ask them to disconnect the snapped power line.
Do not try to fix or remove any damaged electrical equipment on your own. If a tree branch damages your gas line, call 911 or your city’s emergency line and apprise your utility company of the situation.
After you have ensured your loved ones’ safety, call your tile roofing contractor. The professional will remove the branch and repair any damage while recommending practices to help prevent this issue from happening again.
To prevent damage from branches hanging over your roof, trim them regularly. Prune young trees to control tree growth. Cut down unstable or diseased trees after checking with local authorities and getting the necessary permissions.
Is your roof leaking? Roof Tile Custom Specialists has you covered. Our tile roofing experts know everything there is to know about tile roofs. They have decades of experience working with a wide variety of tile roofs. To schedule a roof inspection, call (925) 634-8700.