Roof Leak Emergency and Roof Repairs
Emergency Roof Repairs
Even if you have been diligent in your roof maintenance plan and have kept up on your roof repairs, you may still encounter a situation that necessitates an emergency roof repair. Learn about types of emergency roof repairs, such as a roof leak emergency.
Do I Need an Emergency Roof Repair?
While some roof repairs might be minor and can wait until you are able to get a contractor to your home, others need to be resolved as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your roof and house. Severe weather--such as hail, wind, snow and rain--can cause significant roof damage, and an unresolved minor roof repair can quickly escalate into a bigger problem that needs an emergency roof repair.
A roof leak emergency that is causing damage to the interior of the home is an example of roof damage that necessitates an emergency roof repair.
How to Handle Emergency Roof Repairs
Because emergency roof repairs often involve a roof leak emergency, protect household items that are in danger of being damaged by the water. You must also control the spread of the water coming in to avoid any further damage.
Remove any excess water on the roof and locate the source of the leak. Seal the leak with the appropriate roofing supplies, which will vary depending on your roofing material. Common emergency roof repair supplies include patches, rubber sheets, sealants, tarps and duct tape.
To perform emergency roof repairs yourself, take the following steps:
- Make sure it is safe to be up on the roof and that any extreme weather has passed.
- Locate the leak.
- Cut out a piece of roof flashing or sheet metal that is 6 inches bigger than the size of the leak.
- Place the cut sheet over the leak, under the shingles.
- Hammer the sheet over the leak.
If necessary, you can also staple a sheet of plastic over the temporary sheet metal patch for additional protection.
After Emergency Roof Repairs
If your roof damage occurred during severe weather, your emergency roof repairs were likely a temporary solution to plug a leak before it caused major damage. Remember to check this repair soon after the emergency and, if necessary, hire a contractor to find a permanent solution.