7 STEPS TO TAKE IF YOU NEED EMERGENCY ROOF REPAIRS
Emergency roof repairs can be annoying. Not only are they frustrating to deal with, but they can also affect the structure of your house.
Emergency repairs can occur due to unexpected damage to your roof, often thanks to hazardous weather. You may also have a little roof leak that you are unaware of for days until you start seeing the signs of water leak in your home.
Whatever the cause, you’re going to need to hire a roof repair specialist to assess the damage and carry out repairs. But as you wait for the expert to come over, you’ll need to do something about the leaks.
You can follow these steps for some emergency roof repairs while you wait for the roof repair expert.
7 STEPS TO TAKE IF YOU NEED EMERGENCY ROOF REPAIRS
Here are 7 steps to take if you need emergency roof repairs
- Stop the leak with a tarp
- Patch the roof with roofing cement
- Use silicone to stop the leak
- Use a rubber sealant to stop the leak
- Create a temporary cover out of roof flashing
- Find a roof repair expert
- Contact your insurance agent
7 STEPS TO TAKE IF YOU NEED EMERGENCY ROOF REPAIRS
A tarp is a quick and easy fix for emergency roof repair.
First, you’ll locate the leak area. Once you locate the area causing the leak, you can now cover it with a tarp.
The tarp will help keep moisture out, so make sure you drape it properly over the affected area.
A tarp can be used as a quick and easy temporary fix for a roof leak. You can now go up on the roof and cover the area where the water is entering with a tarp once you’ve found the leak.
Nail the tarp’s edges down after you’ve fitted it over the area to prevent the wind from blowing it away. Because this is an emergency repair that can be completed in minutes, always keep a tarp on hand.
PATCH THE ROOF WITH ROOFING CEMENT
Roofing cement can be used to repair cracks in your roof, patch holes, and make other emergency roof repairs. Roofing cement is available at any hardware store or on Amazon.
Here’s how you apply the roofing cement. Brush the debris out of the hole or crack, then fill it in with roofing cement. Most roofers will advise covering the cement with roofing mesh to make it more secure.
USE SILICONE TO STOP THE LEAK
Using silicone isn’t what you’ll call a long-term fix, but it is an excellent temporary measure.
It is ideal for fixing small holes in your shingle, flashing, or soffit. Some roofers use silicone around chimney areas, and this can wear out over time. If this is happiness, then reapplying the silicone can help stop the leak.
Here’s how you apply the roofing cement. Brush the debris out of the hole or crack, then fill it in with roofing cement. Most roofers will advise covering the cement with roofing mesh to make it more secure.
USE A RUBBER SEALANT TO STOP THE LEAK
A rubber sealant is another quick-fix material that you can try in an emergency. You can apply it to wet and dry areas.
If the cause of the leak is a small area, then you can apply the sealant directly. If it is a larger area, you may need to combine it with another technique listed here. You can use a sealant and a tarp, for example, to cover the area with the leak.
CREATE A TEMPORARY COVER OUT OF ROOF FLASHING
Roof flashing is a fragile material used in sealing leaky places under roofing. Water can run over the region without getting into the home because of the flashing.
All you have to do is apply caulk around the leak, tuck the flashing beneath the row of shingles, and press it against the caulk to keep it from leaking.
Place the flashing around the base of the chimney or in areas of the roof where the most water will drain. It is the most efficient way to stop a leak using if you’re using a roof flashing.
Professional contractors normally install flashing when the roof is being erected to increase the roof’s lifespan.
FIND A ROOF REPAIR EXPERT
The smart thing to do when you move into a new home, the smart thing to do is to find a roofing expert near. This way, you have time to carry out proper research and locate a reputable professional roof repair expert.
But most people don’t do that. They wait until they’re in a bind and start rushing around looking for a roofing expert.
If your roof is still in good shape, then do yourself a favor and reach out to a roof repair expert today.
If it’s already leaking, then try out the temporary measures listed above before reaching out to the nearest roof repair professional.
CONTACT YOUR INSURANCE AGENT
If you wish to file an insurance claim, you’ll need to contact your insurance company.
Do this once you’re done setting up a temporary measure to stop the leak.
Some insurance companies may require you to use their approved roofing company service, which is why you need to speak to them.
The last thing you want to do when your roof has a hole in it is get into a fight with your insurance company. So make sure you take care of the necessary logistics as soon as you can.
HOW TO FIND THE SOURCE OF A LEAK
There are two ways to find the source of a leak.
First, you check the roof to see if any object is piercing the surface of the roof. The other way is to go into your attic and track down the leak from there. Check for wood or rot damage while in the attic to help you track down the source of the leak.
If it isn’t raining, you may find it difficult to trace the leak from the attic. You can use a hose to spray the roof above a leak and check the attic for the exact area of the leak.
Once you find the area, mark it out and begin your emergency roof repair following any steps listed above.
Do you have any questions about roof repairs or maintenance? Are you looking for a reputable roofing company in Orange County, California? Then talk to the experts on Horizon Roofing. Call us on (714) 328-1967 or schedule a roofing inspection here.