A leaking roof is one of the many frustrating things you might encounter as a homeowner. Unfortunately, this is one of those things that can happen to anyone.
A leaking roof is often the result of weather conditions and other external factors. If you live in an area prone to frequent heavy rain, a roof leak is sometimes unavoidable.
The weather will eventually take its toll on your roof, no matter how well you take care of it. Think of it as part of the normal wear and tear of the home. Luckily, it’s not a difficult problem to fix.
1. Get to the root of the roof leak
When there’s a problem, you need to find the root cause if you want a permanent fix. A roof leak is no different. When you’re experiencing a leaking roof, you need to pinpoint where that leak is coming from.
The areas that need to be checked once you have determined you’re dealing with a leak are the roof to start with. Next, you’ll want to check the gutters to see if they are clogged. This could sometimes be responsible for the leak too. Potential issues with the plumbing or heating could also be a reason behind the leaks in your house when it rains.
It sounds extensive, but doing a thorough check to make sure you’re not dealing with any other problems will help you in the long run. By understanding the exact problem you’re dealing with, you’re going to save both time and money by getting the source of the problem fixed right away. Afterward, you can work with a professional roofer like SKP Roofing to complete the repairs.
2. Use gorilla tape on the roof
You should proceed with extreme caution for this step. Trying to put a temporary fix on a leaking roof in the rain can be dangerous. It’s wet, slippery, and depending on how heavily it’s raining, you might not be able to see very well. Throw in some strong winds, and it’s a recipe for disaster if you’re not extremely careful.
If you can identify the source of the leak, a quick fix can be to put some Gorilla tape on the affected area. This is a temporary solution to quickly stop the rain from getting into your home. Be very careful when climbing the ladder and getting to your roof.
If the problem is in an area of your roof that is too difficult to reach, don’t even try it. No leak is worth risking your life.
3. Use a tarp to fix the roof leak
What if you’ve discovered that the cause of the leaking roof is a much bigger hole than you realized? There is still a way to cover it up, and that is by using a tarp. Again, this step needs extreme caution if you’re going to do it.
Since a tarp is much larger than Gorilla tape, you’ll probably need help with this step. Be very careful as you try this and avoid doing it if the wind and rain are too heavy. The next best thing to do would be to wait until the rain has subsided a little before getting on the roof and covering it with the tarp.
4. Keep the leak contained on the inside
Once you’ve discovered your roof leaks when it rains, the next step is to immediately contain the water. This will stop it from spreading to other areas of your home and causing further damage. You’ve already got a leaking roof to deal with, and you don’t want to add damaged furniture to that list.
Contain the water where the leak is happening by using either a bucket or a large container. This would depend on how heavily your roof is leaking. As long as it rains, you’ll need to keep checking on the container to make sure it hasn’t overflowed. Be ready with a second bucket if needed, especially if your leak is very heavy.
5. Call in the roofing experts
A roof leak is something that calls for a professional touch. A roofing repair contractor will be the best person to call in times like these. Your roof is a high and out-of-reach area. It could be dangerous for you to attempt to repair the leak, especially if you don’t have the right tools or experience to do it.
Some repairs are best left to the experts, and a roof repair is one. You could risk damaging your roof if you tinker around with it. Why invite an even bigger bill? Get the professionals on the job right away. Repairing your roof properly right from the start is how you avoid any more roof leaks in the future.
