SERVPRO of Crowley & South Johnson County understands the stress, anxiety, and frustration homeowners experience when storm damage to the roof allows water to leak into the home. As each minute passes, water cascades into the house through the roof, damaging ceilings, walls, flooring, furniture, and personal belongings. As soon as conditions are safe, the breach in the roof must be closed. The best solution is emergency tarping installed by a professional who has the knowledge, tools, safety gear, and equipment needed to quickly and safely perform the task.
Occasions When Emergency Tarping Is Needed
Whenever a roof is leaking, emergency measures need to be taken to slow or stop the flow of water into the home. A gaping hole near the bottom of the roof allows rainwater above the hole to flow into the house. It may not be raining very hard outside, but the amount of water flowing into the home is multiplied by the area of the roof above the breech. A temporary but very effective solution to prevent water damage is emergency tarping. Emergency tarping may be needed in the following instances:
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Storm damage
Severe weather involving hail, high winds, tornadoes, and hurricanes can cause serious roof damage. The Crowley and South Johnson County area is prone to severe weather since it is in close proximity to the Red River Valley, the “tornado alley” of Texas.
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Wind damage
Wind associated with an incoming or outgoing weather front can be fierce, even if the wind is not accompanied by rain and hail. The weather forecast may not call for rain in the immediate future; however, if shingles have been dislodged or boarding has been disturbed, the damaged area needs to be tarped until the roof can be repaired.
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Uprooted tree
A fallen tree can cause serious structural damage to a roof, and immediate tree removal is imperative. Once the tree is removed, the damage can be assessed and the roof can be tarped. Even if only one limb pierced the roof, a large quantity of water can enter the attic and cause extensive water damage to the interior of the residence.
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Fire damage
Firefighters may need to create an opening in the roof in order to put out flames in the attic. This opening will need to be adequately covered to prevent further water damage while the home is being repaired.
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Flooding
Johnson County receives, on average, about 38 inches of rainfall per year. Sometimes the region gets much more rain than usual, such as in 2015 when over 60 inches of rainfall was recorded. 2015 was the wettest year on record for Johnson County and the surrounding area.
Heavy rainfall over an extended period of time can overwhelm a roof’s ability to displace water through the gutters and downspouts. Even though the homeowner may have just cleaned the gutters, debris that accumulates during a period of severe weather can clog gutters, causing roof damage along the bottom regions of the roof. Leaks around roof vents, skylights, and chimneys may occur when a tropical storm stalls out over a region and dumps excessive amounts of water onto the roof for days at a time.
Emergency Tarping Is a Job for Experienced Professionals
Emergency tarping is dangerous without the proper equipment and training. A homeowner can make the situation worse if the tarp is incorrectly installed. Wet roofs are slippery, especially when covered with leaves, sticks, or grime. Wind may get under the tarp and pull a homeowner off the roof, causing injury or death. Emergency tarping is best left to professionals who are equipped to perform the task safely.
What to Do Until Help Arrives
While severe weather is present in the area, conditions may be too dangerous to install emergency tarping. Some degree of water damage cannot be avoided. What can a homeowner do when roof damage is allowing water to leak into the home? Listed below are tips to help homeowners limit the damage and protect their belongings:
- Move items that are light enough to be lifted safely. Make sure that they are out from under the drip zone.
- Cover heavy items with plastic or a tarp.
- Place buckets or trash cans under drips to collect the water and reduce water damage.
- Prevent a possible ceiling collapse by piercing a small hole in the ceiling to allow the water to escape. A sharp pencil makes a clean hole that can be easily repaired. Multiple holes may be needed to allow enough water to vent so that the ceiling does not collapse.
- Be safe! Avoid back injuries. Pillows and cushions are heavy when water-logged. Wear sturdy shoes to prevent slip-and-fall injuries.
SERVPRO of Crowley & South Johnson County is locally owned and operated. Crews are available 24/7 to respond to any size disaster, including storm damage requiring emergency tarping. To learn more about storm damage restoration in Glen Rose, Grandview, and Crowley, TX, contact SERVPRO of Crowley & South Johnson County by phone at (817) 297-8588 or by email at office@servprocrowley.com.
