The Importance of Emergency Roof Repairs

A leaking roof can cause a great deal of damage to a home. Even a tiny leak can encourage wood rot, severely damaging the support planks that hold up your roof.

Ignoring even a minor roofing issue should never be an option, as problems will inevitably worsen over time. Water will seep into your home's walls, insulation, wiring, and floors with a torn or broken roof. Water damage is extremely disruptive and expensive to repair. An emergency roof repair can prevent all that damage and save you money. It's also important to remember that the materials used in a typical roof repair only last about 10 to 15 years. If you allow a minor problem to go unaddressed, you could end up with a much larger issue that requires a complete roof replacement.

Finding a Reputable Emergency Roofing Company

You can take various steps to ensure you find a reputable emergency roofing company. Our recommendations include the following:

Check the Reviews

Consulting online reviews is the first and easiest step when accessing a roofing company's credentials. Any reputable company should have positive online reviews from various people. We recommend reading a few reviews to understand what areas the roofing company specialises in. For example, find reviews that relate directly to flat roofs if you need a flat roof repair. 

For an example of how a reputable emergency roofing company's reviews should look like, check out JMC Roofing Ltd's Google reviews here:

Seek recommendations from neighbours

Yes, it may be old-fashioned, but it can be beneficial to ask your neighbours if they have had emergency repairs on their roofs. If so, ask them who they used. This is particularly useful if you live in an estate. Your roof is likely identical to your neighbour's and may suffer the same issues. A company that has already successfully addressed a similar problem should be able to offer the same service on your property.

Make sure the company is fully licensed and insured

Any construction company should be licensed and ensured and able to produce this kind of paperwork if requested. Unfortunately, the roofing industry has issues with less than reputable tradespeople offering sub-standard work. These cowboy roofers will likely not be licensed to carry out emergency roof repairs and, therefore, should be avoided at all costs.

Find out how long the company has been in business

Speaking of cowboy roofers, many of these so-called businesses established themselves in a few months. They then disappeared, only to emerge in another guise. Therefore, when speaking to a builder, you should find out how long they have been established. If a roofer claims to have years of experience but their business is only a few months old, this may be cause for alarm. JMC Roofing has been offering roofing services in Kildare for generations and has been a Limited Company since 2021.

Do Professional Roofing Companies provide free quotes?

Yes, roofing contractors provide free quotes for emergency roof repairs. You can expect to be asked to provide information about the roofing materials currently in place, the dimensions of your roof, and the severity of the damage. Be sure to tell the contractor the urgency of your roofing repairs. If you have any questions about the cost of a roof repair or the materials that will be used to make the repairs, you should feel free to ask. Taking a proactive approach will help you understand what to expect from the contractor.

What to Expect from an Emergency Roof Repair Job

Emergency repair jobs are more likely to use materials such as shingles, tarpaulins, and patches as opposed to a full roof replacement. It is unlikely that an emergency roofing contractor will be able to replace your roof in a single day due to its size and weight. Depending on the severity of the damage and how quickly you can get your contractor to your home, repairs could take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.

How to Avoid the Need for Future Emergency Repairs

Preventative maintenance is the best way to avoid the need for future emergency repairs. Hire a professional roofing contractor to inspect your roof at least once yearly. This way, you can identify potential issues long before they become problems. Your roofing contractor will provide you with a roof inspection report that includes recommendations for roof repairs. Be sure to document any repairs that are made so that you have a record of them. If you maintain your roof, it will last longer and be less likely to experience a significant problem requiring an emergency repair.

Final Thoughts: The Importance of always calling a Professional

Suppose you ever need to hire a contractor for emergency roof repairs. In that case, it's essential to ensure you hire a licensed contractor. Contractors who work on roofs must be licensed and insured. If a contractor is not licensed and insured, they are more likely to do substandard work and leave you with an unsafe roof. When in doubt, always call a professional contractor like JMC Roofing Ltd.