If you have a medical, security, or other such emergency, call 9-1-1. These calls occasionally frustrate people who need help, often resulting in costly and purely precautionary medical treatment. But such issues are few and far between. 9-1-1 operators are highly trained professionals who work demanding jobs. They know how to help people who need it.
Similarly, call a Phoenix roofing company if you have a roofing emergency. Emergency roof repair is often costly, depending on the repair timeline and extent of damage. However, roof repair is never precautionary. Inevitably, little problems fester and become big problems. Furthermore, roofing companies employ experienced professionals who know their jobs well.
What is an Emergency Roof Repair?
Most homeowners don’t call 9-1-1 if their toilets back up. A backed-up toilet is a serious health hazard but not an “emergency.” However, most homeowners call 9-1-1 if someone slips and falls on a wet bathroom floor. Likewise, homeowners must distinguish true roof emergencies from semi-emergencies.
Physical and visible damage to the shingles, tiles, or foam is almost always an emergency. Storms could cause such damage. So could vandalism or a poorly done roof repair or replacement job. Fire is an issue as well. Smoke and flames affect the roof’s structural integrity. So, even after a small fire, it’s only a matter of time until the entire roofing system fails.
A roof leak, a sign of physical damage, is a semi-emergency in most cases. A quick, DIY tarp and patch job usually contains the damage until your local roofer implements a lasting fix to the problem. Most roofing companies also perform such services, usually within a few hours.
Incidentally, the underlying physical damage might not be an emergency. The current roof’s age might be the problem. In these situations, a one-time leak is the first of many issues. So, a roof replacement may be a good option. New roofs are visually appealing, include extended warranties, and guarantee better performance.
Emergency Repairs, Roofing Contractors, and Types of Roofs
Nationwide, storm damage might be the leading cause of emergency roof repairs. These situations are scarce in Phoenix. However, the three most popular kinds of roofs in the Valley of the Sun have unique issues.
Foam Roofs
These energy-efficient roofs are prone to several kinds of emergency damage, primarily due to improper materials or installation.
Bent or otherwise damaged foam roof edges pave the way for slow-drip water leaks beneath the roof or between the underlayers. We all know what slow drips of water can do over time. Similarly, if a drainage point is blocked, for whatever reason, water pools and causes membrane damage.
Sometimes, the membrane itself tears or cracks, requiring repair. This situation is usually a semi-emergency and not a pants-on-fire emergency.
Shingle Roofs
This type of construction is, by far, the most common roof type among homes built before 1980. About half the homes in Phoenix fall into this age category. Shingle-roof emergencies include:
- Missing shingles
- Impaired ventilation
- Missing or exposed nails
- Split shingles
- Cracked shingles
- Buckled or curling shingles
As a goldenrule, the damage is an emergency if you can see the damage while standing on a ladder next to the roof. Alternatively, if a water leak or other damage appears inside, call us, and we’ll take a look.
Tile Roofs
In Phoenix, most homes built after 1980 have tile roofs. These roofs are structurally complex. Tiles must be carefully placed over a solid underlayment, usually comprised of layered plastic, wood, and other materials.
Cheap shortcuts during the installation process cause roof emergencies later. These shortcuts include improperly spaced tiles and poor-quality materials. Additionally, even a well-put-together tile roof is subject to tile shifting and cracking, primarily due to high winds.
Also, look for edging damage, especially after monsoon rains. Edging protects the roof’s deck, underlayment, and other materials underneath the tiles. Without this protective layer, roof damage is much more likely.
Trust Your Expert Roofing Company in Phoenix, AZ
Contact us promptly, your local and expert roofing company in Phoenix, AZ, if you have a roof emergency or semi-emergency.
Sources:
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/23/us/arkansas-woman-drowned-911-responder-not-charged-trnd/index.html
