It’s important to learn how to stop a roof from leaking during a rainstorm. Not only can this help you save thousands of dollars in repairs, but it can also help save expensive electronics, antique furniture, and important papers.
A roof leak can develop in different sizes, and it can take several months for it to develop into damage that is visible. However, there are other leaks that are much more noticeable and dramatic.
It’s important to be able to make a roof repair that is temporary, but it can last long enough to prevent damage from becoming extensive. After the storms have passed on, then you need to call a reputable roofing company that can make permanent roof repairs like Janney Roofing.
Here are some ways you can temporarily stop a roof leak:
Dry the Area
First, move your appliances, furniture, and electronics immediately that may be harmed by the roof leak. Then, you will need to clean up any debris from the damage the leak caused and make sure to thoroughly dry the area. You can use mops, a wet/dry vacuum, or towels to remove any excess water. A fan can also help to dry out carpets and walls, just make sure that you clean everything well enough that it prevents further damage.
Identify the Leak
Next, we need to find the leak. We’re not talking just about the source of the said leak, but also where the visible damage is located. This may sound easy, but it’s really not. The more dramatic the leak, like where your ceiling is holding water, is easy to find, but sometimes the leaks that are causing the damage only show a small visible sign. It’s very helpful to find the small sign of a roof leak in order to be able to find the leak’s source.
It’s important to inspect your home’s interior to find those small problems that can become a more extensive issue. Always remember to inspect the ceiling of your home for water spots. Remember that even a small spot can be an indication that a leak repair is needed. Plus, damage found in the drywall tape as well as straight cracks found in the texture will indicate damage to the drywall tape.
Make sure you also inspect the attic for molded lumber, discolored decking, or insulation that has a wet smell to it. After you feel confident that you have located all of the damaged spots, then you can track down the leak to its source and are now able to track the roof leak.
Apply Roofing Tar
Your next step is to address the leaking roof from inside your home. First, assess the condition of the outside of the house. One of the best ways to go about that is to keep the roof tiles in proper shape.
Roofing tar patches can help, which are a great choice for removable tiles. It’s possible to take the tiles off in order to find an internal leak while roofing tar is able to seal the leak through the inner ceiling. When you use roofing tar, it can perform the best when used with support material like plywood or shingles that are placed where the leak is found. Roofing tar is then applied to keep the area dry.
Use a Covering Material
There are certain covering materials that are well suited for a roof leak when the source of the leak is hard to find. A good example is PE or polyethylene plastic, which will limit the space that is affected by the leak and can also catch any water that is trying to get in your house.
You can take a ruler to measure the amount of PE that is needed to cover any area that leaks. Make sure to add three to four extra feet to your measurements to help minimize any future leaks as much as possible.
Next, you should use staples in order to attach plastic to the area that is leaking and then nail it down to keep it in place. Remember that PE is a very thick substance that can help to shield rooms from as much water as possible.
Install New Shingles
It’s important to remember that the condition of the shingles on your home will affect how effective a roof can be at stopping a leak. Shingles that have pieces missing, curls, or bruises can make it easy for water to get into a house from the outside.
Always wear the right type of safety gloves when working with older shingles to prevent getting cut. Also, before you go up the ladder to reach a leaking area, put on your rubber boots to prevent slipping on the wet surface.
Use a hammer’s nail removal hook along with a straight edge to remove broken and old shingles. Next secure the replacement shingles with roofing tar and nails. Remember this is only a temporary solution until you are able to determine more durable protection from the rai
Use a Tarp
A tarp can also be a quick fix if you know there is a storm coming in the next few days. To prevent your roof from leaking, place the tarp over the area you think may have an outside leak. How large a tarp you need all depends on how many leaks you have as well as your roof size. If you have multiple leaks or a large roof, you can use several tarps if necessary.
It’s important to anchor the tarp using heavy concrete blocks. Make sure you also extend the tarp over the ridge in order to keep it in place, which is very helpful for storms that have strong winds and heavy rain. Otherwise, nailing the tarp down will work fine if it’s just a mild storm.
Conclusion
When dealing with a roof leak, it’s important to understand the exact cause of the leak so you are able to stop the roof from having more of them during future storms. There are a few cover options that can provide coverage short-term options before Janney Roofing can come out.
Remember, safety is key when dealing with a leak during a storm. If you are looking for Orlando roof repair, contact Janney Roofing today!