Water damage can happen anytime throughout the year, and it can affect more than just your roof. During the warmer months, thunderstorms and tornadoes can cause some serious damage; from major leaks to torn-off shingles and entire roofs. During the winter, ice dams are known to form on the edge of your roof, which traps water under shingles and allows it to leak through nail holes and seams.
Water damage can also result from mechanical issues such as leaky air conditioning vents and busted pipes. No matter the cause of your water damage, it is crucial to seek help from a water damage repair expert as soon as possible. Leaks in your ceiling that are not repaired can quickly lead to damage that spreads to your drywall, baseboards, and even floorboards. Not to mention, unattended water damage can be a health hazard, allowing mold to build up on the inside of your home and contaminate the air you breathe.
Spotting Water Damage
The first step in addressing water damage is being able to spot it early on. The majority of water damage starts off small and too often, is left undetected until it has become a much bigger problem. Aside from actual water dripping from your ceiling and water or mold stains, there are some other early warning signs that indicate your home has water damage.
- Musty smells
- Bubbling or peeling paint
- Damaged shingles
- Unexplained humid or damp feeling
- Water dripping noises
- Unexplained health issues
- Cracking or bubbling paint
Repairing Water Damage
When it comes to repairing water damage, it all depends on the severity of water damage your home has incurred or how far it has progressed. For the purpose of this article, we are going to break water damage into three categories: low-risk, moderate-risk, and high-risk.
Low-Risk Water Damage
The lowest level of water damage is going to be a one-off leak, most likely due to the wear and tear of your roofing material. Time and perhaps a number of thunderstorms, mixed with heavy winds caused a shingle to fall off. This has allowed water from rain showers to leak through nail holes and seams. In this case, an entire roof replacement is probably not necessary. However, it’s important to note that there is still a risk present when this type of leak occurs.
You can’t choose where leaks pop up, so your personal belongings could become damaged. It’s possible that this leak is the beginning of a larger problem as well, so make sure to have a water damage repair expert take a look at it and make the necessary repairs as soon as possible.
Moderate-Risk Water Damage
The next level of water damage is one that has resulted in the buildup of water within your home. You may notice bubbling or peeling paint, or even sagging parts of your ceiling. This may seem less serious than a one-off leak where water is dripping, but if water has built up enough to cause a bulge in your ceiling, then it is definitely more serious. The buildup of water is where damage begins to expand to other areas of your home. In addition, it is where mold begins to form. If caught early enough, this level of damage can be repaired to limited areas of your home. It’s also recommended to pierce a hole in the center of a bulging portion of your ceiling to relieve water pressure.
High-Risk Water Damage
The highest level of damage is one that has not only affected your ceiling but has caused damage to your drywall and floorboards. The wood framing of your roof may have begun to rot and mold may have begun to build up. If the cause of the leak is from a weather-related incident, not only will your roofing material need to be replaced, but so will some of your structural beams, walls, and flooring. If the leak is from a mechanical issue, the damage will vary.
Containing Water Damage Until You Get Help
No matter the level of risk or severity of your water damage, the first thing you should do is always contact a professional. You will want to contain the damage as much as possible and you can only do that by seeking help from a water damage repair expert. Once you have contacted someone to visit your home, evaluate the situation, and make the necessary repairs, there are several things you can do in the meantime.
- Place a bucket or other large container under the leak to catch water
- Place towels around the affected area to soak up any excess water
- If your leak is weather-related:
- All you can do is tarp the affected area of your roof, but note that you should only do this if you are confident in where the leak is coming from and if you can safely climb onto your roof.
- If your leak is mechanical or plumbing related:
- Turn off the source of the leak, whether it’s a leaky pipe or a faulty A/C unit. For pipes, you can also clamp or tape the section of the pipe that is leaking.
Hiring a Licensed Professional
If your roof has suffered damage from a recent storm, if you have spotted a leak in your home, or if a catastrophic event has happened that led to flooding within your home, reach out to our water damage repair experts at Austermiller today. We are proud to be a team of full-service, licensed contractors.
What Does Water Damage Restoration Include?
As a team of licensed contractors, we can clean up the water damage and repair your roof, walls, and flooring if need be. Our water damage repair experts are also trained to detect and evaluate mold growth and water damage.
Water Damage Removal
After a flood or a water damaging event, the first step is to get rid of any damaged materials. Drywall, carpeting, insulation, appliances, and even supporting materials may have been damaged. Our crews will help remove damaged materials so we can then assess the total damage. We’ll also work with your insurance to make sure you get fair estimates for the cost of restoration.
Water Cleanup
In cases where there’s still standing water in your home, whether there’s just pooling or your home is flooded, we’ll help clean it up. The faster we can get in and start getting the flood water out, the better. Floodwater is contaminated and can lead to many problems if not addressed quickly.
We’ll bring in vacuums, pumps, and fans to help get things dried out. Then, we’ll also come in and treat any parts of your house that were damaged by water in order to prevent mold problems before they start.
Water Damage Restoration
Once we’ve removed all the damaged materials, our team of contractors will begin construction to complete the water damage restoration process. We can help rebuild the damaged parts of your home so it can get back to normal.
Call Austermiller Roofing for Water Damage Restoration Services in Middle Tennessee
If you have a leak with an unknown source, our team’s persistence and attention to detail help us find those tough to detect leaks too. That way we can stop bigger problems down the road.
Austermiller, Inc. has been serving the Middle Tennessee area for over 25 years. Our team of certified contractors and roofers are trained professionals to install materials of the highest quality with the highest quality service. We are proud to specialize in both commercial and residential roofing, as well as storm damage repair and restoration. Schedule your FREE estimate today by visiting us online or giving us a call at 615-553-2041.