1. Fallen Limbs/Trees

By far and away the most common causes of severe roof damage here in Georgia are fallen limbs and uprooted trees. Heavy rains can cause old or diseased trees to fall over, and wind gusts can easily blow large limbs down off from overhanging branches. When these limbs or, worse, whole trees strike a home’s roof, serious damage almost always ensues.

If your roof is damaged by a roof or tree, your first order of business is to ensure the safety of everyone in the house; a fallen tree can actually make the structure unstable. Call a 24/7 roofing company right away, and also contact the emergency number of any utilities that might have been affected, such as gas or electric.

2. Sudden Leaks

When roofing emergencies happen, leaks are almost always the result. Sometimes a sudden leak is the only sign of a roof emergency! When water is dripping (or more likely, rushing) into your house in the middle of the night you don’t worry so much about where it’s coming from as how you can get it to stop.

Emergency roof leaks can cause thousands of dollars in damage in just a few minutes. If you have a leak, do your best to remove any furniture or other vulnerable items from the leak’s path; put down buckets if you can. If the ceiling itself is wet, leave the room in case of structural collapse. And of course, call an all-hours roofer!

3. Storm Damage

The term “storm damage” can encompass a lot of things here in north Georgia. In regards to roof damage it usually refers to strong winds, heavy rains, hailstones, or even lightning strikes. Your roof is there to protect your home and its contents from storms, and sometimes it gets damaged in the process. It’s a situation all homeowners need to be prepared for.

When your roof is damaged in a storm, you may not realize it until after the storm has passed and you visually inspect the roof. Even if you only suspect damage due to a loud noise or a missing shingle or two, calling an experienced roofer to investigate further is always the best course of action. Storm damage can be sneaky, but it can also be costly.

4. Roof Collapse

Full or even partial roof collapses are rare, but they do happen. They mostly occur in very old houses and with roofs that have been very poorly maintained. It’s possible to see some collapse activity as a result of an ice storm or heavy snowfall, too, or even as a result of pooling water.

A roof collapse is quite serious. If your roof is collapsing or shows signs of collapse, leave the premises immediately. You’ll want to reach out to an emergency roofer as soon as possible and also any emergency personnel (like the fire department) if you’re worried about damage to adjacent properties.