Most people agree that roof water damage can be very frustrating, due to the fact that you may have to spend a lot of money to repair or replace the entire roof; depending on the intensity of the damage.

Gypsum or rock plates are most often used as a roofing material in the US The downside to these materials is that water tends to pool and saturate the surface, until swelling and leaking begin. The end result can be a severely damaged roof and house, with the possibility of collapsing or compromising the integrity of the structure.

The most effective way to solve this problem is by hiring a water extraction company. These companies have the experience and knowledge to handle water damaged areas while preventing future mold outbreaks.

Although hiring a professional is highly recommended, here are some simple tips to help you if you decide to tackle the job yourself.

Step 1: locate

The first step is to make sure you correctly locate all areas where the leak may be coming from. This step is crucial to ensure that all possible holes are located to be serviced. Otherwise, the risk of leakage in the future increases.

You should be able to identify and stop the water source quite easily. This step is very important. Failure to do so could increase the cost of repairing the water damaged roof by a large margin. If one person cannot identify the source of the water, all repairs will be in vain.

Step 2 – Drying

The next step is to dry the water damaged areas. Before beginning this procedure, be sure to protect both your furniture and the floor by placing tarps on it. A person can use a towel or a vacuum cleaner to dry the ceiling. It is advisable to clean both the interior and exterior of the roof.

This step may involve breaking through the saturated ceiling to allow the water to flow through. This process is very important as it helps prevent molds from spreading and forming. The water cleaning process is very important as it helps eliminate the possibility of mold growth.

Do not forget to remove the damaged parts of the roof. Damaged roofs may be loose or bulging. These parts of the roof must be scraped off. One person can use multiple household computers; ranging from knives and paint scrapers to removing damaged parts.

After letting all the water drip from the affected areas, use a pair of fans and air dry the damaged ceiling until it is completely dry.

Step 3: repair

The next step is to prepare the ceiling for painting. In this step, a thorough repair of the drywall may be needed. First, cover all the holes with the same material used for the roof if necessary. Next, apply the necessary textures to blend the ceiling pattern.

Use sandpaper to smooth the ridges between the cleaned and affected regions.

Step 4: paint

Lastly, a person should apply a primer coat on any repaired or stained drywall. You should give the primer coat time to dry. A second coat may be required; depending on the visibility of the stain.

Now if this entire process seems beyond your level of expertise, or just isn’t worth the time and headache, call in an experienced restoration specialist. They will have all the tools and qualifications to take care of any water extraction and renovations flawlessly.

Repair costs

I’m sure you would like to know how much a renovation like this could cost. Before even mentioning roof leak repair costs, it’s important to understand that this depends on the extent of the problem.

Damage and costs can increase dramatically the longer the water remains unrepaired. This can be due to the immediate formation of molds that occur in humid and dark environments. Therefore, it is important to react quickly before the damage escalates with the possibility of having to buy a new roof all together.

Roof damage costs can sometimes be covered through your insurer, depending on the situation. This is another reason why it is sometimes better to hire, as they will be in a better position to assess whether you qualify for such.