If water pools inside of your home, have someone watch in the attic while you use a garden hose to spray your roof and soak the gutters with water from an outside source – this will reveal where its source lies and help locate its actual source.
Remove furniture from the area, place pails to collect excess water, and protect any areas where leakage enters with tarps.
Temporary Fixes
There are various steps you can take to mitigate a roof leak until professional repair services arrive. First, clear the area where it is coming in by moving furniture, rugs and any other items in its path – this will limit water damage as well as help prevent mold or mildew growth.
If your leak has resulted in a sagging bulge on the ceiling, puncture it at its lowest point to allow water to escape and prevent it from filling your entire home. By puncturing it at this crucial moment, you’ll stop its bulge from burst-bursting on its own and spreading across other rooms of your home.
An effective solution to dealing with roof leaks in the rain is installing a thick waterproof tarp over the problem area and stretching at least four feet across. For added protection and to stop water seeping through beneath your shingles, consider tucking it beneath them for additional support and added coverage.
Triage
As soon as a leaky roof occurs, it is imperative that water be collected as quickly as possible in order to limit its damage. Use buckets, trash cans, kiddie pools or towels nearby as an effective method for collecting all that dribbles through.
Step two should be to identify where the water source lies. Use a flashlight in the attic and follow any water stains or drips back to their source; you may even have to climb on to your roof for this step, so ensure that your shoes have rubber soles with excellent traction for reduced risk of slipperiness.
Once you’ve identified the source of a leak, using a tarp can be an effective way to temporarily stop its source until repairs can be made. Most homeowners should be able to manage this task themselves; however if possible we suggest getting professional help in installing it as water may find its way past its edges and cause more harm than good.
Temporary Repairs
First and foremost, move any furniture or belongings away from the area where a leak exists. Water damage destroys carpets, furniture and other belongings while encouraging mildew and mold growth.
Step two is to gather and contain any leaking water. Buckets, trash cans, towels or kiddie pools should be used to collect this moisture to stop it from spreading further.
Silicone caulk can also help fill any leaky roof gaps – just be sure the caulk has dried before applying it!
If the leak can’t be identified from inside, it may be beneficial to take a closer look outside. Leaks could be caused by blocked gutters, issues with plumbing or HVAC systems, pest infestation or similar factors.
If it is safe for you to go on the roof, spread a tarp over the affected area. Make sure it extends at least four feet over and up over it to reach its peak.
Permanent Repairs
While roof leaks cannot be eliminated overnight, you can limit damage by quickly finding their source and fixing them as soon as possible. First step should be identifying where it is coming from – sometimes this can be challenging!
Look out for discolorations and marks where water has pooled on the ceiling, as well as areas of framing or insulation that has begun deteriorating. Use a bright flashlight during the daytime hours to examine framing from where moisture may be entering via its framing from where you suspect moisture to enter through its framing and travel upward along it from where moisture may have entered through its framing from this point onward.
If you can’t identify the source of a leak, enlist help from a friend to use a garden hose on your roof and try soaking areas around where there has been water damage to the ceiling. Work slowly uphill from there until all areas have been saturated – this should help identify its point of entry so a professional can repair it more efficiently.
