Roof leaks, wet attics and soaked insulation
Storm Water Damage in Lithia Springs, GA
Rain that gets through a roof after a storm leaves two jobs: a roofer closes the opening, and a water damage contractor dries what the rain reached below it. Call (678) 940-9083 to ask about the interior side.
About this rendered scene
What the attic scene shows
The rendered scene shows the underside of a roof deck in an attic, with a dark water stain on the plywood and wet insulation lying below it. A technician in a blue work shirt looks up at the stain with a flashlight.
The stain shows where the water got in, and the wet insulation shows where it went. The picture is a rendered illustration, not a photograph of a real home.
Where the calendar matters
Which months bring the rain
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, with most activity from mid-August to mid-October and the peak on September 10, says the National Hurricane Center. Georgia's emergency agency lists tornado outbreaks in March 2007 and March 2008.
The September 2009 floods followed rain that began on September 15, according to the National Weather Service.
Pause and get help if
- A downed power line on or near the house: never go near it, assume it is live, and call 911. Georgia Power also lists 1-888-891-0938 to have a line barricaded; GreyStone Power lists 1-866-473-9786 for outages.
- Water coming in through the housing of a light fixture, a ceiling fan or a wall outlet: leave the switch alone. Throw the breaker only from dry ground, and if sparks appear or something smells scorched, get outside and dial 911 or the power company.
- A ceiling drooping under a soaked attic: leave the room below it empty, and phone 911 if a section breaks loose.
- A gas smell after a storm: go outside without touching a switch or flame, then reach 911 or the gas utility. Any gasoline generator runs outdoors only, with a clear 20 feet between it and each door, window and vent.
Keep it or replace it
Roof first, then everything under it
| Part | What the sources lean toward | Who decides |
|---|---|---|
| The roof opening | Not covered by the cited pages; it is a roofer's job | A roofer |
| Ceiling drywall | A Pennsylvania state fact sheet says wet drywall turns fragile and that swollen or loose drywall is likely to be replaced | The contractor |
| Carpet and flooring below | The EPA says porous materials may need to be thrown away if mold grows | The contractor |
Georgia's insurance office asks for photographs before temporary repairs and inspection before permanent ones.
Short answers first
Where does storm water inside fall on a 1 to 10 scale of seriousness?
8 to 10: a downed line near the house, water entering at a light or outlet, gas in the air, or a sagging or bulging ceiling. Get away from it and dial 911, or tell the gas utility from the yard. 4 to 7: a wet attic or ceiling stain with the electricity out of reach; arrange a roofer and a contractor visit this week. 1 to 3: a small stain that has stopped growing; mark it, photograph it and watch the next rain.
What do I photograph before a temporary repair?
Georgia's insurance office says to document the damage with images or recordings before temporary repairs if you can, to keep the receipts, and to keep damaged property for the adjuster. It warns that a company may deny a claim if you make permanent repairs before the damage is inspected. Nothing here says what a policy will pay.
What kinds of storms has this part of Georgia seen?
Georgia's emergency agency lists the March 2007 and March 2008 tornado outbreaks and the September 2009 floods, which it blames for at least 10 deaths. The National Weather Service says the Sweetwater Creek basin rose to the 500-year flood level that month. Roof leaks are one of the quieter results.
Do Douglasville and Winston roofs get the same help?
Yes. Rain coming through the roof in Douglasville homes and Winston homes is in the same service area as Lithia Springs. Mention your community when you call (678) 940-9083, and ask whether a contractor can come before the next storm.
Safe looks, no tools
Everything below is a look or a sniff from dry ground. Skip any step that needs a ladder, a tool or a step into the water.
- Look from the attic hatch, not from standing on the insulation, for dark stains on the roof deck or wet insulation below it.
- Photograph the stains and the ceiling below before any tarp or temporary repair goes on. Georgia's insurance office asks for images or recordings before temporary repairs.
- Keep receipts for any temporary repairs, and keep damaged items so an adjuster can look at them.
- Wait on permanent repairs until someone has inspected the damage; the same office warns a claim may be denied otherwise.
Gather before dialing
What to have ready for the storm-water call
- The street address, and which community the house is in
- Where the stain is, and what sits above it: attic, roof valley, chimney or window
- Whether a roofer has been out or a tarp is on
- Photos taken before any temporary repair, and the receipts after
- Renting? The landlord or property manager is first, and the photos go along
Numbers and facts for this area
- Georgia's emergency agency lists 21 tornadoes in March 2007 that killed nine people, and 45 tornadoes in 24 hours in March 2008 with about half a billion dollars in damage across metro Atlanta.
- The Georgia insurance office takes questions at (800) 656-2298 and (404) 656-2070.
- Most of the city of Douglasville is served by Georgia Power and most of unincorporated Douglas County by GreyStone Power, the City of Douglasville says. Your bill tells you which.
Signs the water left behind
- Brown stains spreading across a ceiling after rain
- Insulation that looks flattened, dark or wet in the attic
- Daylight, dripping or dark staining on the underside of the roof deck
- Damp drywall below a window or along an outside wall
- A musty smell upstairs after a wet week
Before anyone starts work
Roofing and restoration rules, separately
A roofer and a water damage contractor answer to different rules in Georgia. The hiring questions page collects what Georgia and Douglas County publish, so you can ask the right office.
Gather the street address, the name of the wet room and some phone photos. Renting? The landlord or property manager hears first. Then call (678) 940-9083 to ask if a contractor covers Lithia Springs, Douglasville or Winston.
Call (678) 940-9083