A bucket below a leaking roof with people in the background

Your roof is continuously exposed to elemental damage, whether that's day-to-day wear and tear or something more severe, such as damage from storms. While your roof is built to withstand all this and more, it could easily become compromised from time to time, and one of the most common roofing issues homeowners have to deal with now and again is water leaks.

No matter the size of the hole or what caused it, a roof leak is never something to take lightly. EAS Roofing is a trusted roofing company in the Pittsburgh area that offers a variety of services, including roof leak repairs. Below, we suggest the next steps any homeowner should take after discovering a roof leak at their property.

Step 1: Protect Your Home

When you first notice a leak in your roof, you'll want to take immediate action to protect your belongings from water damage. Move all furniture, fixtures and decorations so that they can't be affected by the leak. After this, make sure that any wet spots have been thoroughly dried to prevent mold, mildew or other symptoms of moisture damage. You'll also want to come up with a temporarily solution for the leak, such as placing buckets to catch the water droplets.

Step 2: Document the Damage

After you've assessed the damage, it's time to document it. Many insurance policies cover things like roof leaks, but in order to get your claim processed and approved, you'll need to turn in ample documentation to prove your home was damaged. Make sure to include photographs of damage from the interior and exterior, taking both wide-angle and close-up shots of things like:

  • Broken Tiles
  • Missing Shingles
  • Flashing Issues
  • Water Stains
  • Wood Rot
  • Mold Growth

Step 3: Review Your Insurance

Once you've thoroughly documented all signs of damage relating to your roof leak, you'll need to take a look over your homeowner's policy. Look through the policy to see what kind of damage is covered, and what that coverage looks like. While the terms of each individual policy will vary at least slightly, most will have the following sections, which should hold helpful information for dealing with your roof leak:

  • Dwelling Coverage
  • Covered Perils
  • Policy Exclusions
  • Duties After a Loss

Step 4: Contact a Roofing Contractor

Roof leaks can turn into serious issues, which is why it's important to get in touch with a trusted contractor once you've secured your home and touched base with insurance. Your roof leak may not be located directly above the pool of water you found on the floor, so a professional roofer will start by completing a thorough inspection to ensure they've uncovered the root of the issue. 

EAS Roofing offers professional roof repair services in the Pittsburgh area, and is well-versed dealing with everything from a few broken shingles to severe storm damage restoration. Our roofing services feature industry-leading brands, including CertainTeed and Owens Corning, which allows us to make high-quality, long-lasting roof repairs each and every time. Get in touch with EAS Roofing today to learn more about all that we can do for your home, and to receive a free estimate on our roof repair services.