Roofing is a $51 billion industry in the U.S.—and for good reason. From wind and storm damage to aging shingles, roof damage is a common reality for any homeowner. But while roof damage may be common, it hardly feels that way when you fall victim to it for the first time. You might find yourself with water getting into your roof or worse, starting to leak into the interior of your home. Whether you’ve lost a few shingles in a storm or suffered severe damage that’s suddenly allowing the outdoors into your home, knowing what to do ahead of time will help you to cope with an emergency roof repair in Atlanta with ease. Keep reading to learn how to do just that.

Stay Calm

It’s easy to get upset when you suffer sudden roof damage—and completely understandable. However, panicking over the damage won’t help you to get it fixed any faster. 

Instead, aim to stay calm.

If water is getting into your home, move your belongings out of the way and place a receptacle under the leak, if possible. If there is any question about whether the damage could become worse and put you or your family’s safety at risk, leave your home right away. Go to a safe place, and wait until you get the all-clear from a professional that it’s safe to return.

Call for an Emergency Roof Repair Right Away

As soon as you are in a safe place or your belongings are out of harm’s way, the next thing you should do is call for help.

Don’t just call any roofing expert. Instead, it’s best to call for someone who specializes in emergency roof repair.

Even if the damage does happen during regular business hours, companies that don’t cater to emergencies might not be available to perform repairs right away.

While on the phone, give the experts as much information about the damage as possible. From what may have caused it to whether your roof is missing a number of shingles to whether or not water is getting inside, include any detail you can think of. This will help them to better prepare their team to fix the damage quickly and efficiently.

Cover the Damage Safely

In the case of minor roof damage, especially following a major storm, you may have to wait a few hours for your emergency roof leak repair expert to arrive.

If this is the case, and you can do so safely, you may opt to take measures to cover some of the damage to keep it from getting worse.

Covering the damaged section with a tarp can help prevent further damage. It can also help to stop water—or more water—from getting into your home.

Keep in mind that not all damage to your roof may be easy to spot. You could have loose shingles in other areas as well. And when you walk out onto these damaged shingles, they may shift.

If you aren’t confident that you can cover the damage safely, it’s best to leave it alone until the professionals arrive.

Keep the Number of a 24 Hour Emergency Roof Repair Near Me on Hand

Whether you’ve already suffered from roof damage or just want to be prepared, this next tip is one that every homeowner can benefit from. 

Always keep the number of a 24 hours emergency roof repair near me on hand. This will help alleviate some stress when disaster does strike. It might also save you valuable time, allowing you to get help to your home faster before more damage can occur.

This also gives you time to choose a roofing company that you trust. The last thing you want to do in an emergency situation is discover that the company you’ve called isn’t prepared to do the repairs the right way.

Never Attempt a DIY Repair

Every year in the U.S., more than 160,000 emergency room visits occur as a direct result of individuals falling off of ladders. 

It may be tempting to try to fix your roof damage on your own. Perhaps just a few shingles have blown off, and you think you can tack them back in place. Or maybe your roof is nice and flat, and you think the repair will be a breeze.

But roofing repairs of all sizes are always best left to the professionals. 

Working on your roof is dangerous—as the ladder statistic shows us, even getting onto your roof can quickly become a life and death situation.

And fixing your roof is a complicated repair. Beneath the shingles are several layers of materials, all of which serve a vital role. Mess up a layer, and you could wind up with water damage in your roof.

Handling Your Emergency Roof Repair

Finding yourself with sudden and unexpected roof damage can be confusing and stressful. But staying calm and contacting the right emergency roof repair in Atlanta can help.

Never attempt to repair your roof damage on your own. No matter how simple the repair may seem, it isn’t worth the risk, and if you don’t get things right, you could wind up with more damage than you had to begin with.

Before you pull out your ladder, give us a call. Whether you need a routine repair or have found yourself in an emergency situation, we’re here to help with all of your roofing needs. Give us a call, or add our number to your phone to have on hand if disaster does strike.