If you notice a water spot or discover water dripping from your ceiling, you, unfortunately, are dealing with a roof leak. To avoid even more water damage from happening, quickly take the following five steps:

1. Identify the Source of the Leak

Quickly identify the cause of the leak and locate any areas in your home where water is dripping inside. Common leak culprits include:

Cracked flashing
Broken or missing shingles
Clogged gutters
Improperly sealed valleys
Ice dams
Skylights
Cracked chimneys

2. Catch the Water

If water is dripping into your home, mitigate damage by containing the water. You can simply place a bucket underneath the roof leak, making sure to replace it as it fills up.

3. Protect Belongings

Quickly move any belongings out of the way of leaking water, especially valuable items and electronics. Cover nearby furniture or other large items that can’t be moved with a plastic covering or tarp.

4. Dry the Water

Once you have contained the water, use towels to quickly start drying any items or flooring that has been wet. If your carpet or belongings have been soaked or the leak has been going on for a long time, you might need help from a restoration company to completely dry the area and address any mold growth or water damage that has occurred.

5. Fix the Leak

Once you have everything you can to prevent more water damage from happening, call a professional roofing company to stop the leaking and fix your roof. This is also a good time to have the contractor inspect the rest of your roof for any other signs of damage to prevent future leaks from happening.

Always address a roof leak as soon as you notice it. Even very small leaks can quickly grow in size and cause extensive damage to your home in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Prevent roof leaks from happening in the first place with regular inspections by a roofing contractor.