Nobody wants to have to deal with a leaky roof, but the after-effects can be just as much of a hassle. The first stop is to halt any further damage by blocking the leak, but don’t neglect repairing the leftover water damage after your repairs.
My Roof Is Leaking: What Should I Do?
The first step in dealing with a leak is to protect your possessions! Immediately move any furniture, rugs, electronics, and other valuables away from the area of the leak. The best option is to remove these items out of the room, if possible, because the space will be needed later to conduct repairs. If you can’t move something, then take the time to cover it with plastic to protect it from water damage.
Next Immediate Steps to Take
If the leak is still running then grab a bucket or other container like an empty trash can to catch the incoming water. If the leak is rapid, grab a second container to switch in when the first needs emptied. Swap as needed.
Next, check for any weird bubbles or bulges in the ceiling. When your roof leaks, you’ll often see bubbles or bulges begin to develop. This is a sign that water is pooling in that area, and if you don’t release the pressure, it could actually bring your whole ceiling down. You can use the tip of a screwdriver or a knife to puncture the bubble and allow the water to drain out into the buckets you’ve set up.
If you didn’t get to the leak before it damaged some of your belongings, you may be able to get some reimbursement from insurance.
Snap pictures of the damage on the roof and the electronics for your insurance claims. Check with the company that holds your homeowner’s insurance policy to see if damage from roof leaks is covered and ask if home item damage is covered in the policy as well.
From there, the next concern is to dry out as much of the area as possible. Bring in old towels, a wet/dry vacuum, mops, or any other safe tool you have at your disposal to remove water. Fans are a huge help here since they not only help circulate the air and dry out the area but can also help prevent mold from growing.
Once you have completed all of these steps and the imminent danger to your house has been reduced, consider calling a professional roofer to take care of the actual roof damage that caused the leak. If you do, only receive an estimate on the work and do not commit to anything without first contacting your insurance company.
How to Stop a Roof Leak from the Inside
If you can get into your attic and access the site of the leak, you can make a temporary patch with roofing tar and a shingle or a piece of plywood.
- Find the entry point where the water is entering your house.
- Apply the tar to the underside of the roof, inside the attic.
- Press the blocking material into the tar, covering the leak.
- Apply more tar around the edges of the patch.
If you cannot get into your attic or have no way of finding the point of entry, you’ll need to cover a wider area on the outside of the roof with plastic.
- Go on to the roof when it is safe to do so.
- Take a roll of plastic, preferably 6-mil polyethylene, and wrap it around a two-by-four, stapling the plastic to it. After that, nail another two-by-four to the first, making a sandwich to hold the plastic.
- Stretch the plastic across the general area of the leak.
- Place the wood end along the eaves, and use a pair of two-by-fours to secure the other end of the plastic, leaving that end hanging over the ridge. The weight will help hold the plastic flat and keep it from blowing away easily.
The above is just a quick fix, however. It will temporarily fix the problem and prevent worse damage inside, but you will still need to call a roofing professional for a permanent fix.
Is a Roof Leak Covered by Insurance?
The general rule of thumb is that when the leak is caused by accidental forces or those over which you have no control (wind or hurricanes are big ones), then it’s covered. If it’s caused by negligence, then it’s likely not covered. This is why it’s essential to keep up on home maintenance and fix minor issues as they pop up.