It’s not a very pleasant discovery. You could be sitting down to dinner and an unexpected drop of water lands on the table. You may not have noticed it until just now, but there’s a telltale sign of a roof leak: a brown splotch has formed on the ceiling.
By the time that first drop makes it all the way to your dining room table, the water damage has been done. Depending on the roofline, you may not even know there’s an issue until the water makes it down to the floor inside the wall. A water spot on the ceiling is one thing, a puddle of water on the floor is that much worse.
You’ll always notice a tree crashing through the roof. But it’s the small leaks that happen over months that can cause real damage. Water that finds its way to the interior of the house through a damaged shingle or some other roof damage can cause mold, mildew, as well as structural damage.
How to prevent further roof damage
Unfortunately, if water has found its way into the home, there is no way to reverse the damage. But there’s no reason to let the water continue to enter the home. Now is the time to call in a professional roofer to investigate the issue and schedule a time for repairs.
However, if there aren’t any roofers available for immediate help, you may be able to take on the situation yourself. There are a few things you can do to start protecting the home while waiting for qualified contractors to remedy the roofing problem.
Inspect The Invasion
If you have access to the attic, see if you can figure out where the leak is coming from. Even if the water spot is in the middle of the ceiling, the water could have entered almost anywhere. The rain could roll halfway down the roof, land on a joist, and flow another foot before finally falling to the ceiling.
If you’re able to find the initial leak, you may be able to patch the problem right then and there. Of course, this isn’t a long-term solution, but it may keep any new damage from appearing. Even putting a pot under the leak will work for a day or two.
While you’re up there, survey the damage – any information you can give the roofing contractor will be helpful. Remove wet insulation and any other loose debris that’s soaked. By getting rid of all wet materials, you’ll reduce stress on the ceiling and keep any more standing water from entering the room.
Exterior Fixes
If you’re not comfortable scooting around the attic, we definitely wouldn’t recommend climbing up on the roof. Especially in the rain or if the roof has a very steep pitch. However, if you take all proper precautions, here are a few ways you can stop the leaks with some minor, short term roof repairs.
Broken/Missing Shingles: Get a new shingle and slide it into place, under the shingles just above the damage. Nail into place with roofing nails and coat the nail head with roofing cement.
Curling/Wavy Shingles: If you have a heating gun, warm up the shingles so they are able to lay flat. “Glue” the shingles back into place with roofing cement. While it doesn’t hurt to use liberally, you don’t want to use so much the shingle doesn’t lay flat.
Cracked Shingles: While you’re on the roof, it doesn’t hurt to take a look around for other damaged shingles. If you see some cracks, go ahead and fill them in with roofing cement.
Larger Issues: If it’s more than a missing shingle or two – such as a large tree branch – no amount of roofing cement will fix that. After removing the tree branch (if possible), chances are you’ll have a good-sized hole to deal with. This situation definitely calls for an experienced roofing company, but until they show, you’ll need to protect your home in the meantime.
Buy a heavy-duty tarp meant for outdoor use. Make sure to get one big enough to cover the hole and drape over the peak of the roof. Flatten the tarp as much as possible and nail along the edges. Cover each nail head with roofing cement.
Call in the Pros
While all of the above will stop the drips for a few days or weeks, they aren’t meant as a long-term solution. Once your immediate concerns are dealt with, make sure to call Warner Roofing and Construction. For nearly 30 years, we’ve been taking care of roof repairs throughout Clark County in almost any weather condition.
In addition to spot repairs, Warner Roofing and Construction also performs re-roofing, tear-offs, and new construction roofing. We also offer services when there’s absolutely nothing wrong with your roof. Gutter installations, skylight repair and installation, and solar tube installation.
Consider Warner Roofing your roofing expert in Clark County. We offer free estimates, reasonable prices, and unmatched professionalism. No matter what your issues are, make sure our number is in your phone. Need help now? Give us a call or fill out our request forms.
