There is no question about it, tarping or repairing a roof during an intense storm is a difficult and dangerous task. Truth be told, it’s dangerous work in the best of conditions. Slipping and falling during roof work is just one of many safety concerns facing technicians in this industry.
When a storm or fallen tree has compromised a roof’s integrity causing rainwater to damage your home, you need a temporary and quick fix. Make a call to your 123HELP emergency roof tarp service and repair contractor for assistance. Please understand, that during an active storm they may not always be able to send a tarp or repair crew up onto your roof. The safety of human life always takes precedence. That doesn’t mean they can’t offer help. They may be able to enter your attic to install a water catchment and diverter system to the roof trusses. A system like this can catch and manage the incoming water to stop or at least minimize water damage to the interior of your home. So, make the call to your 123HELP professional, and at the very least during an intense storm, you will be on the service list which often grows longer with each passing hour.
Emergency Tarping and Roof Repair Services Explained
In the roofing industry tarping is a broad term that applies to more than just placing a protective and waterproof tarp on your roof. Here is a list of several ways a tarping and roof repair company can provide a temporary solution for a roof damage emergency:
- Use a tarp to stop the leak
- Use roofing cement to patch the roof or flashing
- Use silicone or caulk to stop the leak
- Utilize a rubber sealant coating to stop the leak
- Use roof flashing to temporarily cover the leaking area of the roof
- Replace shingles
- Make a replacement shingle
- Replace roofing pipe flashing boot
After a waterproof protective tarp has been installed, many consumers want to know how long the tarp will last? The installation should hold for at least ninety days. The effectiveness and longevity of a roof tarp depends on the variety of ways the tarp is attached and held in place on different roof shapes and materials. For example, sandbags and adhesive tapes may be used to hold a tarp in position on cement tiles. Metal fasteners may be used to attached tarps to shingles. When shortcuts are taken, the first tarp application may not suffice. It takes a lot of metal fasteners to hold a tarp in place and the metal fasteners will damage shingles. You will need to replace a lot of shingles after the fasteners and tarp have been removed. However, replacing a few shingles is much less expensive than the extensive water damage that can occur if your roof continues to leak.
There are situations where the tarp installation and roof repair contractor will provide a temporary tarp service and then return to install additional tarps, or even a second, more substantial tarp system. Substantial and full-roof-tarp systems can last a year or more which provides ample time to schedule re-roofing projects for better weather conditions.
How to Recognize When Your Roof is Leaking
Roof leaks can be both very evident and more subtle. Seeing water dripping is definite evidence. So is seeing discolored water stains on your ceiling. Other times, the only way you find some leaks is by going up into the attic to find dampness, dark water stains, and perhaps areas of mold or dry rot on the roof framing and support lumber in the roof.
Maintaining Your Roof
Being proactive about caring for your roof is always a good idea. There are ways to maintain your roof and help extend its lifespan. Keep gutters clear of leaves, debris, and built-up of dust/dirt that clogs downspouts and prevents roofs from draining properly. Remove buildup of leaf debris from your roof, especially from flat foam roofs. Decaying leaf material will damage foam and shingles.
123HELP provides a suggestion to prevent or reduce the likelihood of suffering a roof leak… have a roof inspection.
A Phoenix, Arizona roof can last anywhere from ten to fifty years depending on the roof systems you have installed on your home or building. For example, tile roofs can last up to fifty years, shingle roofs can live up to thirty years, and foam roofs last around fifteen to twenty years. If the roof on your home is within five years of its’ expected lifespan you should consider having a professional roof inspection. A home-inspector or better yet, a roof-inspector may find minor issues that can be simple cost-effective fixes. These will prevent expensive water damage problems. Or they may recommend it’s time for a re-roofing job which is always less expensive that waiting until after there is a major roof failure causing extensive property and content damage and having to add the roof replacement cost to the mix. By the way, most insurance companies don’t cover water leak damage caused by a faulty roof. Insurance companies consider a leaky roof to be the result of poor maintenance which is not a coverable insurance loss. However, an unexpected roof failure caused by wind damage, a fallen tree, or other unforeseen events are usually covered by homeowner insurance.
123HELP emergency tarp service and roof repair contractors are always available to help you with your roof inspections, maintenance, and emergency services too. For the best results always use a roof tarp and repair contractor approved by 123HELP.
