A leaking roof at a school is a serious issue. It can disrupt learning, damage property and create extensive safety hazards. Addressing this quickly is important to minimise the impact and potential danger to students and staff.
The process can be broken up into seven key steps to help you assess and rectify the risk. Read on for how to deal with a leaking roof at a school.
Why do roof leaks happen?
Roof leaks occur for a range of reasons. In the unpredictable and wet UK climate, roof materials can suffer wear-and-tear across the years. Here are some of the most common reasons for roof leaks:
- Ageing roof materials: As time passes, roofing materials can deteriorate. This natural ageing process leads to cracks, gaps or warping.
- Weather damage: Extreme weather events like heavy rain, snow, hail or high winds can damage roofing materials.
- Clogged gutters: Gutters are designed to direct water away from the roof. When they become clogged with debris or leaves, water can back up and pool on the roof, increasing the risk of leaks.
- Improper installation: Many issues can occur if a roof hasn’t been installed correctly. Vulnerable spots around vents, chimneys or skylights can become points of entry for water and cause leaks.
7 tips after discovering a leak
1. Ensure the safety of staff & students
When you notice a leaking roof at a school, your priority should be ensuring the safety of both staff and students. If the leak is severe, then you will need to cordon off the area and relocate staff and students to a safer location.
What does a severe leak look like? If there is massive discolouration on the ceiling, excessive dripping, or any warping of the materials, you should consider this to be severe.
To prevent accidents, place warning signs around wet areas to stop anyone slipping or falling. You also need to ensure electrical equipment is unplugged or moved away from the leak.
2. Identify the source of the leak
Now that you have ensured the safety of staff and students, you can begin to search for the source of the leak. This will help you to find out the severity of the issue and guide you on the next steps to take.
Begin by quickly conducting a visual inspection. Check for obvious signs such as water stains, dripping or wet insulation materials. If the leak isn’t immediately visible, you should examine areas where leaks commonly occur. These include skylights, vents or roof valleys.
If the source is not easy to identify, you might need to contact a professional roofing contractor. They will be able to assess the situation and figure out the source of the problem.
3. Contain the water
There is likely to be a waiting period before your roof can be repaired. Because of this, you’ll need to find ways to contain the water and stop additional damage from occurring.
You can use buckets or containers to catch dripping water, preventing further damage to ceilings, floors or other structures. If the leak is significant, you can create a temporary diversion by using plastic sheeting or tarp.
If you’ve noticed that there is water pooling on the roof, you should try to drain it to prevent further damage or potential roof collapse. Remember that safety should be your main objective here and you may need to seek emergency professional help to prevent further issues.
4. Document the damage
It’s worth documenting the extent of the damage with photographic evidence. This will be useful for insurance claims, or when contacting professionals for repairs.
You can also record details such as the time the leak was discovered, the severity of the damage, and the actions you took after noticing it. This can help to track the issue and ensure proper follow-up.
5. Notify authorities
As mentioned before, a roof leak can be hazardous, so it’s important to report the leak to relevant authorities. Inform the school administration about the leak as quickly as possible. This gives them time to quickly notify maintenance teams that can fix the leak and prevent further issues.
6. Arrange for professional roof repair
Roof leaks are often a symptom of additional problems. This means that you may need help from a qualified roofing contractor. They will visit your school and assess the damage before carrying out necessary repairs. Professional intervention is important, as it ensures the problem is properly resolved and does not reoccur.
Remember that when it comes to a safety issue such as a leaking roof, long-term solutions are paramount. Depending on the extent of the damage, you might need to consider long-term solutions like roof replacements or general improvements to the roof’s drainage system.
7. Prevent future leaks
Once the immediate issue has been addressed, you should take steps to prevent future leaks from occurring. Proactive maintenance can help avoid similar issues down the line. You should do the following:
- Schedule regular inspections: You should aim to have your school’s roof inspected annually, especially before and after periods of intense weather. These inspections, when conducted by professionals, will identify potential vulnerabilities before they lead to leaks.
- Maintenance routine: One of the most important aspects of prevention is regular maintenance. Work with a professional roofing contractor to create a maintenance plan. This might include cleaning gutters, checking seals around skylights and vents, or ensuring that your roof drainage system is functioning correctly.
Get fast roof maintenance and repairs with Wakefield Roofs
With over thirty five years of experience, DPR Roofing Wakefield is your local expert. If you’ve noticed a leak in your school roof, we can help! With extensive experience fixing roofs in Wakefield and the surrounding areas, we know how to quickly rectify leaks.
Accredited by leading bodies such as CHAS and Constructionline, we are committed to protecting the safety of your students and staff with accurate, fast roof repairs. Call us on 01977 220016 or email [email protected] for an inspection and transparent quote.