In Michigan, large snowfalls followed by a random burst of warm weather are no strangers here. When this happens the snow starts to melt and weighs down your commercial roof. The added weight of the snow then causes pressure that forces water into even the smallest defect — often surprising you with an emergency roof leak.
For anyone who manages a commercial building, you already know that roof leaks are a huge inconvenience that creates potential threats to your company’s operations, inventory, and overall productivity.
So, what can you do if you find yourself in an emergency roof leak situation? In this blog, we’ll review 7 steps you can take if your business experiences an emergency roof leak.
What can I do right away?
If you’re faced with an emergency leak, it can be hard to know where to start. However, when you first notice a roof leak, prioritize your safety above anything else. If you are unsure of the extent of the damage, it is best to stay completely clear of the area and call a professional immediately.
Once you’re sure the area is safe, here are 7 steps to help you stop further damage:
- Stay calm! Emergency leaks can be stressful and overwhelming — but they don’t need to be. Leave it to the experts to solve and be sure to call Weather Shield’s Emergency Roof Repair services. No matter what type of commercial roof you have, we’ve fixed one just like it before. No matter what time you call, our roof repair specialists will be on-site within 2 hours of your call. Don’t wait, or your leak may get worse. Our phone number is 616-243-4040 and we’d be happy to help.
- Turn off the breaker to all outlets and electric wires that are in the vicinity of the leak.
- Unplug and turn off all electronics and devices. Once off, move them to a dry, secure place until the area is completely dried out.
- Move any valuable items into a dry space, and cover large assets such as furniture and appliances with plastic to best protect them.
- If you notice a large water patch on the ceiling tiles or drywall, poke a hole in the worst spot with a pencil or screwdriver to let the water drain. This prevents the accumulated water from resting on the ceiling, creating more damage.
- Use buckets or any type of container to catch the dripping water. This will stop more damage from occurring to your floors, machinery, furniture, and other assets. Use a mop or spare towels to soak up as much excess water as possible.
- Seal off the hazardous areas with rope or tape to warn others of the slippery conditions. If you have “Wet Floor” signs, be sure to set those up as well. Sealing off the areas will also help track the progression of the leak and give you a good idea of how much water is seeping through.
What next?
Commercial roof leaks require immediate attention to minimize as much permanent damage as possible.
If you haven’t already, be sure to call our 24/7 emergency roof repair professionals at 616-243-4040. We’ll dispatch one of our service specialists to your location within 2 hours of your call (no matter what time you call us).
Once we arrive, we’ll also provide cleaning and drying equipment to ensure your business gets back to normal operations.
Don’t let emergency roof leaks hinder your business operations. No matter what condition your roof is in, we’re here to help.
