Temporary Plug For Sudden Roof Leak
Posted on: 24 March 2020
Don't wait until a roofing company arrives to take action if your roof is leaking. Take precautions to mitigate the leak and make the repair work easy. Below are some of the measures that can help you plug the leak temporarily.
Trap the Water
The first thing is to trap the leaking water. Letting the water splash and flow will cause damage to the house, some of which you might fail to spot immediately. Trapping the water is as easy as placing a bucket under the leaking area. You may have to empty the bucket several times if the rain is substantial or the leak is serious.
Relieve the Pressure
A leaking roof doesn't always trigger a torrent of water down into the house. In some cases, the water pools above the ceiling until it becomes too heavy for the ceiling material and then bursts. Such a sudden burst can drench your house in water and cause serious damage. The pent-up burst can also cause serious ceiling damage. If you suspect water pooling above the ceiling, poke a hole in the area and let the water trickle down to relive the pressure.
Locate the Source
Roof leaks don't always have clear sources. This is especially true if the ceiling is hiding the source of the leak. In such cases, your first job is to diagnose the source. The diagnosis will be easy if you can go up the attic, especially with light. Note that the drip point of the leak is not necessarily its source. Water can leak from a high point, but then flow down a roof beam before dripping down.
Make a Temporary Patch
If you have the right materials, you can make a patch to plug the leak temporarily until a professional can fix it. Some roofing tar and piece of hard material, such as wood, will do. Push the hard material into the hole or crack and trowel the roofing tar around it for a waterproof patch. You can also use roofing tape or caulk — anything that can prevent the leak for some time.
Use a Tarp
If the rain subsides a little, go on the roof and spread a piece of tarp or plastic roof cover over the leaking area. The covering will prevent further leaks in case the rain resumes. Be careful while working on the roof after a rainfall because the roof surface will be slippery. In fact, only take this measure if the roofing contractor might delay a little.
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