Roof problems can creep up on anyone. Even the most prepared homeowners can experience a missing shingle that can lead to a sneaky roof leak. What do you do when you find a leak in your ceiling in the middle of the work week? How do you buy time to keep damage at bay before the cavalry arrives? Here’s Noble Roofing’s quick guide on how to minimize damage from a roof leak.
1. Make a DIY Roof Leak Band-Aid
When you see a wet spot on your ceiling that is getting larger, you need to take quick action to stop it from spreading. This is when you need to admister some “first aid” to your ceiling in the form of a DIY Roof Leak Band-Aid. You’ll need five items:
- 10×10 Tarp
- Ice Pick
- Large Bucket
- Hand Towel
- Step Ladder
You should be able to see the part the ceiling where the leak is coming from pretty clearly. When you do, place the tarp underneath the area and put the large bucket on top of the tarp, directly underneath the leak. To mute that constant “drip” sound, put the hand towel in the bucket. This will stop the sound of liquid splashing and give you some peace and quiet. Then, carefully step onto the step ladder and use the ice pick to gently pierce the ceiling where the leak is the most prominent.
The water will now escape through the hole instead of continuing to spread through the surface of your ceiling material. This process is used to funnel the water into the bucket, which will prevent more water from collecting in your ceiling, buying you more time to call professionals to repair the leak. This also results less material replacement costs for your ceiling.
Pro Tip: If you can get your hands on a ready-made roof diverter, you won’t need tarp. With just a ladder, ice pick, and a bucket, you can keep the leak controlled until help comes.
2. Get Emergency Roof Tarping
Have an important meeting later this week and can’t take the day off for the full repair? No sweat! Emergency tarping can buy you time so that you can schedule a repair on your terms. Placing tarp over your leak temporarily will prevent more water from entering your roof. If you’re handy and have all the right gear, you should get on your roof and place some emergency tarp over the place where water has breached. If you have any doubts about doing this task safely, you should call a professional immediately and see if they can come over and do this quick job for you. This will give you peace of mind and buy you time to schedule a proper roof repair and inspection when it’s most convenient for you.
3. Get Professional Repairs
The next step is simple: after you have bought time and done all you could to prevent more water damage from happening to your home, let the pros handle the rest. Schedule an appointment when you’re free, and get roofers to inspect the damage and propose a solution to your problem. When you work with Noble Roofing, we’ll come over and check everything. We’ll determine the source of the leak and tell you everything that your home needs to be safe, clean, and able to withstand the storms that are to come. We also offer financing options if you have significant needs that are outside your budget.
Trust Your Roof Replacement to Noble Roofing
Whether you’re looking for better form or function, or simply feel that a new roof is in order, trust Noble Roofing, the preferred choice for roof replacement in Centreville VA and surrounding cities. Give us a call at (703) 404-0505 to speak with our roofing experts. You can also request a free estimate through our online request form today.
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