Introduction
Experiencing leaks during stormy weather isn’t a surprise, especially if the roof is old or has experienced damage before. While professional roofing contractors are the only ones who can properly restore the integrity of your compromised roof, there are a handful of things you can do to keep the damage from getting worse. So, whether it’s the drip-drip-drip sound you keep hearing or stained walls you’ve just noticed, this blog gives you a few solid tips to manage your leaky roofs till help can arrive.
Leaky Roofs & Missing Shingles: Tips & Tricks For Handling Emergency Roof Repairs
Okay, let’s say you’re sitting at home and watching TV as the wind howls and rain pours outside. You see a small puddle in the corner of a room. Chances are, your roof’s sprung a leak. You should be reaching out to 24-hour roofers stat, but during those 24 hours, there are a few things you can do to keep the damage from worsening.
Here is a look at a few useful techniques that keep your roof strong till the roofers arrive.
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Pales & Buckets To Catch All The Drips
You can’t go out there just yet, so it’s best to take a few emergency steps inside. In case of a leak, place a bucket underneath it to catch all the water. It will protect your floors and furniture from further damage.
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Securing Furniture & Floor Furnishings
Speaking of furniture, move it out of the way of the leak—possibly to a different room altogether to ensure that it doesn’t get warped or stained. If you can’t do that, cover it with plastic sheets to minimize the damage. Also, roll up your carpets and rugs.
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Attic Inspection For Leak Location
Okay, next, try to see if you can figure out where exactly the issue lies. Assess your attic carefully from the inside, looking for signs of daylight, small draughts, or even obvious leaks. If you notice a bulge in your ceiling, carefully puncture it to relieve the water pressure, letting the moisture drip into a bucket.
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Pictures For Documentation
Finally, snap a few pictures of the damage inside your home so that your roofers know what they’ll be working with. This will also strengthen your insurance claim in the future. Repeat this step when you can access your roof afterward.
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Prioritize Safety & Wait Out The Storm
So you’ve done all you could for now. As tempting as it might be, don’t go up to the roof just yet. Stay inside as the storm rages and prioritize the safety of your family and loved ones. Move to a section of the house that hasn’t been compromised and wait till the hurricane or cyclone has passed.
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Cover Your Roof: Tarps & Sheets To Prevent Worse Damage
As soon as the storm stops and you have contacted your roofer and insurance company, you should try to cover the exposed area of the roof. Use heavy-duty tarps and roll them several feet over the opening to cover it properly. Secure it with wood strips nailed into place. This should keep your leak covered just in case the winds pick up again.
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Sealing Cracks With Roofing Cement
Okay, if there are gaps and larger cracks that are letting in more water, it’s better to try to seal them instead. Grab some roofing cement and a caulk gun and cover the openings generously with the material. Be sure to wear gloves to keep your hands safe during the process. Smooth out the cement over the opening to ensure even coverage.
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Emergency Fixes For Missing Shingles
What if the winds blew off your shingles instead? No worries! Till the roofing contractors can arrive, replace the shingles on your own to keep water at bay. Just slide the replacement shingles into place, ensuring they align well with the other shingles. Using a hammer and some nails, secure the new shingles in place, effectively patching up any leaks for now.
Conclusion
In conclusion, experiencing a damaged roof due to violent winds or raging storms is not unheard of. The main thing to do in these situations is to stay calm and call in licensed roofing contractors to perform emergency roof repair services. But they can take up to a day to arrive, so in the meantime, rely on buckets, caulking guns, and heavy-duty tarps so that the leak doesn’t worsen and your property remains relatively safe till proper repairs are made.
FAQs
How long does storm damage roof repair take?
Depending on the extent of the damage and the material of your roof, repairs can take anywhere from a day to a few weeks.
What is the most vulnerable part of your roof?
The shingles, flashing, drip edges, and ventilation are the most vulnerable parts of any roof.
What is the best roofing material against storm damage?
Metal and slate are strong contenders to prevent roof damage caused by storms.
