There’s nothing worse than putting up with a leaky roof. While contacting a trusted roofer is always the best option, they can’t always fit in your roof repairs immediately. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the steps you can take in the meantime to minimise damage to your roof.

How long will I need to wait?

Good roofers are usually busy throughout the year. As a result, you might have to wait for them to fit in the repairs or replacement for your roof. But how long should you be waiting? It’s reasonable for roofers to have a waiting list from a few days up to 3-4 weeks.

Naturally, this depends on a number of factors. Roofers are busiest in winter when rainfall is heavier – causing more leaks and leaving less days to safely work at height. Waiting time can also be increased for bigger jobs, with replacements taking upwards of 2 days, compared to repairs which can be done in a matter of hours.

Whatever the case, it’s best to get written confirmation about when work will take place. Otherwise, some less reputable roofers could string you along and take on other jobs. Above all else, remember that it’s better to wait for a good roofer than simply go with whoever is available.

1.   Minimising water damage

If your roof is scheduled in for repairs or a replacement, it means you could have a few days or weeks where water is still getting in. It’s important that you take a few steps to stop that water causing more damage to your property.

Invest in some buckets to place underneath any leaks and put down plenty of old towels around the affected areas. Be sure to check on the buckets and towels at least once a day to empty out rainwater and replace or wring out towels that are damp.

2.   Speak to your roofer

While roofers can’t always fit in the full job immediately, they might be able to pop by and patch things up for the time being. That’s especially true for local roofers, who won’t need to go too far out of their way to stop by at your property.

Alternatively, they could offer some advice on how you can minimise damage. Either way, there’s no harm in mentioning this when you’re getting a quote.

3.   Don’t try to repair it yourself

We’ve covered the “do”s when waiting for roof repairs. Now for the big “don’t”. Don’t try to repair your roof yourself.

Tampering with your roof tiles, timbers or other features will likely cause more damage than its worth. On top of that, any attempt to get on your roof for a closer look will put your safety at risk – as well as risking more damage to your property.

Taking a proactive approach

Hindsight is a wonderful thing when your roof is leaking. While you can’t undo the damage to your roof, you can avoid the tricky situation repeating itself in future. The best solution is to take a proactive approach to roofing with regular inspections from a trusted roofing company.

Having your roof inspected annually will identify any issues before they develop into serious leaks – or at the very least ensure you’re booked in with your roofer nice and early. That means no more days and weeks emptying buckets and wringing out towels.

At DPR Roofing, we provide dependable roof inspections, repairs and replacements throughout Wakefield. To book in your inspection or arrange a quote, simply call us on 01924 255 677.