What To Do If You Find A Water Leak In Your Attic

12/29/2020 (Permalink)

If you experience a leak in your attic springs a leak, that can easily become an issue for other areas of your building. When water damage has occurred in your attic area, you will want to take immediate action to avoid both the damage and the associated higher costs and stress.  

Here are some ideas about what to do if you find a water leak in your attic:

• Location. You’ll first need to determine where the leak is coming from, either from a roofing issue or pipeline break. Make sure you are thorough in your assessment and be sure to take safety precautions. Stay away from light sockets, recessed lights, and other electrical systems until the electricity to the attic area has been turned off. Get an accurate idea of how widespread the damage is.
• Source. Find the source of the water issues and eliminate them before handling any of the damage. Contact your homeowner’s insurance carrier at this point if it looks like repair costs will extend beyond your deductible and if you think you need the help of professionals. The carrier may decline to cover any damage if you attempt to complete repairs yourself. 
• Repairs. There are some common repairs you can expect after your attic experiences water damage, such as:

• Structural. This can include anything from basic framework to floorboards. This process can be time-consuming since materials need to be checked carefully to ensure that they are in good condition. 
• Plumbing. If the source of your attic water damage was a plumbing issue, you will have to replace pipes or components that led to the event. If the main cause was pipes freezing and bursting, the next step will be to installing proper insulation. 
• Electrical. Lighting, light sockets, and electrical outlets may have been negatively affected by a water damage event. Unless you are an electrical professional you need to avoid any repair attempts here, so be prepared to contact a reputable company to take care of this part of your repair project.
• Insulation. If your insulation was affected when your attic was damaged, you will want to consider replacing or upgrading your attic insulation.  
• Recovery. The last step in the process of dealing with water damage in your attic will be the final recovery and cleaning. Get rid of remaining items and residue and wipe down surfaces with a bleach and water solution, and be sure to take steps to protect yourself with proper Personal Protective Equipment. 

The team here at SERVPRO of Hermitage/Donelson is always available to restore and repair your home or business if you experience damage from leaks. We are water damage and fire damage experts, and we handle mold prevention and remediation, too. We can also get your home or business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned - ask us how.