Living in the beautiful suburb of South Melbourne is an absolute dream come true. You’re just a stone’s throw away from the bustling South Melbourne Market, a few tram stops from the CBD, and right smack in the middle of dozens of restaurants and bars on Clarendon Street. What’s not to love?
However, all that joy can quickly come to a standstill when your dreamy South Melbourne lifestyle is disrupted by the unwelcome sight of a leaking roof. Whether it’s those heavy Melbourne showers, unexpected hail, or simply a dodgy roof job, it’s safe to say that a leaking roof can be one of the most frustrating and inconvenient issues for homeowners today.
So, what do you do when you notice a sneaky puddle forming on your living room floor? From grabbing a trusty bucket to securing professional assistance, here is everything you need to know about keeping your home safe and dry when you encounter a roof leak.
1. Contact A Professional
Let us preface this list of suggestions by first saying that a leaky roof isn’t something you want to both delay fixing or even attempt to fix in a DIY capacity. With that, the first and most important thing to do is to connect with the best Melbourne plumbers and find a professional who can handle your issue with expert care. You mustn’t delay repairs and prioritise securing a permanent solution to your leaking roof, as this will help to prevent further damage to your home.
As for finding the right professional for the job, we highly recommend hitting up local directories like the one we’ve just shared above. You should also consider asking these questions when screening your shortlisted specialists.
Pro tip: Once your roof is repaired, be sure to ask your plumber for specific maintenance instructions to keep your new roof in good condition too. This can help reduce the risks of a repeat issue.
2. Safeguard Your Furniture and Possessions
So what do you do while you’re waiting for your roof plumber to show up? Well, a good place to start is to safeguard your furniture and possessions. Whether it’s a sofa, coffee table, desk, TV, or any other electricals, temporarily moving your items to a different room will help minimise costly water damage. Not to mention, many fabrics trap water and create a horrible mildew smell, so whatever you can move or push out of the way, do it ASAP.
3. Identify Where The Leak Is Coming From
While it can be all too easy to panic when you notice an unwelcome pool of water in your home, it’s infinitely wiser to stay present, and try and identify the source of your roof leak. The easiest way to do this is by looking out for splotchy brown water stains on your internal ceilings. You might also notice bulging or bubbling drywall, depending on how serious your leak is.
4. Grab A Bucket
Now that your precious belongings are out of the way and you’ve identified where your leak is coming from, grab a trusty bucket or plastic container. Place as many of these vessels as you need directly under leaky areas to ensure that any incoming water is contained. If your leak is rapid, grab a second bucket to switch in when the first bucket needs emptying. If possible, get friends or family to help as this will make the process a lot more efficient.
5. Put A Tarp On Your Roof
Once your buckets or containers are in place, it’s time to put a tarp on your roof. If you can safely access your roof, securely place a large plastic tarp on the source of the leak and secure it down with some sturdy nails. Don’t forget to prioritise safety by wearing appropriate gear, including non-slip shoes and a safety harness if possible. Remember that the tarp is just a temporary fix to minimise further damage while you’re waiting for a professional to assess and fix your leak.
6. Soak Up Excess Water
Just as moisture in your bathroom can seriously damper your bathroom design scheme (literally), so too can excess moisture cause a surprising amount of damage to your property’s roof and ceiling cavity. And whilst, most of the leak should be minimised and contained thanks to your tarp and family of trust buckets at this point, it’s still beneficial to try and remove as much of the remaining dampness as possible to prevent further damage and reduce your risks of experiencing rot.
If you have wooden floorboards or tiles, immediately work on soaking up any excess water with towels and mops. Remember that leaving water to sit on floorboards for a prolonged period can result in irreversible damage to your timber flooring, so act swiftly. Turning on a fan or dehumidifier can also speed up the drying process.
If your floor is carpeted, it’s a good idea to use a spot cleaner or rent a carpet extractor from your local Bunnings to suck up excess water. The last thing you want is for mould and mildew to start growing in your carpet pads, so be sure to extract as much as you can.
7. Document The Damages
Finally, get your phone out and start taking lots and lots of pictures. This is not only to ensure that you’re able to give your plumber more information when they arrive but also so you can make a successful home insurance claim on any damage that has been caused by your leak. We cannot overstate how important it is to take photos and document everything. Without sufficient documentation, you may have to pay out of pocket. Remember to get this step done before repairs begin.
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When it rains in South Melbourne, it rains hard. So it’s only natural for us South Melburnians to take extra caution when assessing the health of our roof. If your roof does accrue excess damage due to a leak, however, you should be able to not only patch up but perhaps even update your roofing so it’s better equipped to handle adverse weather conditions that we receive from season to passing season.
At the end of the day, keeping your roof in good condition is really all about swift action and ensuring that you take active measures to minimise damage to your home whilst waiting for a licensed professional to provide a lasting solution. Your quick response and collaboration with these professionals will not only save you from potential headaches but also ensure the continued enjoyment of your dreamy South Melbourne lifestyle.
