When your roof springs a leak, the best thing to do is call a reliable and trusted roofing company. If you’re in St. Augustine and Jacksonville, FL, that will be us!
At HW Roofing, we have a pretty impressive response time, but we still believe it’s necessary to share these top tips for managing a leaky roof while you wait for professional help to arrive.
Clear the Area
If your roof is leaking, the contents of your home are in danger. Therefore, one of the first things to do is clear the area and remove furniture, clothing, or items in the vicinity. This prevents your precious belongings from absorbing water or moisture. Otherwise, you could end up with an unpleasant mildew smell that permeates the whole house.
If cushions, carpeting, and upholstery have already absorbed water, don’t leave them in place. Instead, take steps to dry them as soon as possible. For instance, you can open all windows and doors to improve air circulation and haul out wet objects in the sun to dry.
Contain the Leak
Thankfully, it’s possible to contain a roof leak, so the damage doesn’t spread to other parts of your home. To prevent water from pooling in your home, place containers in strategic positions to capture any drips coming from your roof. If there’s water dripping down your walls, you could cover them in waterproof material to stop unsightly stains from forming.
You can also create a roof leak funnel to divert incoming water away from your home’s interior. You can easily create a funnel by sawing off the top end of a plastic bottle and connecting it to a hose. In any case, keeping the leak contained will prevent extensive damage to your walls, floors, and belongings.
Find the Source of the Leak
Sometimes it’s easy to trace a roof leak back to its source if you know the common areas where your roof can leak. Once you have a system in place to catch water, the next step is determining if you can stem the leak. Start by going up to your attic and using a light source to identify any cracks or openings that might be letting water through.
You can temporarily patch these small leaks with plastic and waterproof tape. However, if you notice any sagging bulges that look ready to burst, the best course of action is to puncture a hole and collect the retained water before it causes a bigger mess.
Keep in mind that some leaks are difficult to locate, so if you don’t feel like going on the roof, it’s best to focus on keeping the leak contained while you wait for professional help.
Place a Tarp Over The Roof
Consider covering your roof with a sturdy tarp if it looks like more wet weather is on the way and your roof can’t get patched up in time. Ensure that the tarp is secured nicely so it doesn’t blow off easily in windy weather.
Even if you can’t find the source of the leak, placing a tarp over a large enough area ensures the problem spot is also covered. Using a thick tarp and removing standing water will help you manage the leak effectively as you wait for professional repairs.
Get Professional Help
There’s only so much you can do to manage a leaky roof before you need to find a roofer to fix it. You shouldn’t have to monitor a roof leak for long or stress over it getting out of hand. Instead of taking risks and trying to fix the leak, why not leave it to the professionals?
Climbing up on the roof can result in serious injuries if you don’t have the proper training or equipment. Second, DIY repairs can cause more damage which is never good news for your pocket.
On the other hand, getting professional help as quickly as possible means you can save money by getting the leak fixed before it becomes severe. Early intervention reduces the risk of mold and wood rot while increasing the longevity of your roof.
Keep Leaks Under Control With the Help of Professional Roofers
You should contain a leaky roof as soon as possible to prevent the problem from getting expensive. The short-term measures above should help with damage control. After that, however, it’s best to call the pros for high-quality roof repair that protects your home from further storm damage.Schedule a Free Roof Inspection with HW Roofing, so our experts can assess your roof and recommend the right course of action.