Quick Roof Repairs

Catching Water

• The first priority is to find out where the water is entering the home. This is usually an easy task during rainy weather because the water streams down to the floor. Put buckets or other receptacles in the areas where water is dripping to prevent further damage to floors and other surroundings. You will have to keep an eye on these receptacles to ensure they do not overflow. After this problem has been contained you can move on to the roof.

Clear Pooling Water

• Water often pools on the roof where leaks occur. Sometimes the pooling water and its weight are partly or entirely the cause of the leak. Clearing away pooling water on a flat roof is simple, as you need only to sweep it off the roof. Pooling water on slanted roofs often means there is a blockage caused by debris in gutters or other issues that prevent water from flowing into gutters and through downspouts. Clear these obstructions and get the standing water off the roof.

Wet Patching

• In some instances you will be able to wet patch the roof immediately. Products such as plastic roof cement can be used to seal areas where leaks are occurring. The biggest challenge will be finding the leak. Look for damage to flashing, penetrations and areas around rooftop mechanical equipment. Check the seams in overlapping roofing membrane or shingles. Begin with areas directly above the place where the house is leaking indoors and around areas where there was pooling water.

Tarping

• For a quick fix to keep water out until proper repairs are made, stretch a plastic tarp across the leaky area of the roof and hold it in place with 2-by-4 wood strips. After cutting the tarp to a size large enough to cover the area plus an additional 4 feet on each end, wrap the excess tarp around one 2-by-4 and staple it to hold it on. Nail the wrapped 2-by-4 to another 2-by-4 and nail the boards to the roof sheathing. Repeat the process on the opposite side of the area you wish to cover and secure the open ends of the tarp with more staples to hold it down. This will be a temporary repair for your roof, and you can call in the professionals at their earliest convenience to do the repairs properly.