If you've never dealt with a roof leak before, you may not know what to expect. Unless your roof starts leaking when roofers are in a slow season, it might not be possible to have repairs done right away. Here's a look at how the process might work when you have a roof leak.

Call A Roofing Contractor Right Away

Don't put off calling a roofer because it could take days for them to get to your roof if they are booked solid due to a recent storm. By calling as soon as you can, you'll get in line and get service as soon as possible. The roofing company will get to you as quickly as they can, but the initial visit may be just the inspection and quote.

It could take several more days before work begins. If you're lucky and the roofer can fit you in their schedule, you might be able to start roof repairs in just a few days after calling.

Prevent Water Damage

If water is dripping from your ceiling, take steps to catch it so you don't have to repair water damage to your home too. Place big buckets in your attic to catch the water and empty the buckets before they overflow. If your ceiling has a big water bubble that's dripping water, puncture the bubble and catch the water in a bucket. This helps relieve pressure on the ceiling and might prevent further damage.

You may not be able to catch all the water if you can't tell where the leak is or if the leak is behind a wall. Another option is to buy a roof tarp and spread it over the roof if you're able or if you can hire someone to do it for you. A tarp will keep the rain out and stop the dripping, but a tarp isn't a long-term solution.

Get An Inspection

When the roofer arrives to check your roof, they may check a lot more than just the area where water is dripping. Water can cause quite a bit of damage to roofing materials. The deck and some rafters may be rotted and need to be repaired. The roofer has to determine the cause of the leak and the parts of the roof affected to give you a quote for the roof repair.

Have Your Roof Repaired

When your roof is leaking, the problem might be a hole in the flashing. It could also be a hole in the roof or bad shingles. The roof repairs you need could be replacing flashing, putting on new shingles, or cutting out the rotted deck. The longer your roof has been leaking, the more repairs that are likely to be needed.

Even if the source of the leak is a few bad shingles, the roofer might need to do more than just replace the shingles; they may cover up water damage that will give you trouble later. Call a roof repair service to get the help you need.