If you have a roof leak, your number one priority is to call a professional specializing in Roof Repair in Long Island. Sometimes, though, that help may not come right away. In the meantime, pros say there are some relatively easy things you can do to temporarily deal with the leak and prevent further damage until a roofer can take a closer look.
Limit the damage indoors.
If the roofer is unable to immediately assist you, first take some preliminary measures to protect the interior of your home:
- Move furniture and valuables away from the area in which the leak is coming in;
- Protect your floors and walls with waterproof materials such as tarps or plastic bags.
- First, absorb any standing water with towels so there will be no mold.
- If the ceiling starts to show signs of water, cover the area and poke a small hole in the center to drain excess water.
- Put a big container under the leak to collect drips, but stay with it to avoid overflow.
Climb up to your attic and inspect it.
If you can get into your attic or crawlspace, grab your flashlight and head up or down to search for leaks. Sometimes, especially on elaborate roofs, water travels a curving path from roof to floor, making it difficult to locate its source.
Joints, fixtures, and areas around vents are likely leakage points. Once you find the source, lay plywood across the joists and set a bucket on it to catch the drips. Do not set the bucket directly on the drywall; it will collapse under the weight. Check your bucket often so it does not overflow, creating another issue to deal with until a roof leak repair professional arrives.
Divert leaking water with a bottle funnel.
If bailing out a bucket is not your thing, a bottle funnel can be used to reroute the water outdoors. It works much better in the attic but will work inside also. Create a funnel by cutting the top off a plastic bottle, leaving the bottom with a wide opening and a narrow neck.
Attach the hose to the neck with an effective adhesive and attach the wide end of the funnel over the leak. Pass the hose through a window or door and direct the water outside to minimize interior damage and the hassle of frequent container checks.
Look from a distance.
Once you have addressed the direct interior damage, head outside to inspect your roof. You probably had a hard time finding the source of the leak from inside, so maybe a general inspection will give you some clues.
Survey your roof with binoculars from across the street or yard to see if it is sloped. Obvious signs include fallen tree limbs and missing shingles. Flat roofs will require a much closer look in order to find potential issues and direct you toward a more precise repair.
Addressing fallen branches
If the large tree limbs have fallen onto the roof, carefully remove them, checking for damage underneath. Any holes or damaged areas from the debris should be covered. If these limbs are too heavy or dangerous to remove, it is best to leave them to professionals offering roof leak repair in Long Island. In that case, take care to cover the area so no further water intrusion occurs.
Sweep away and soak up standing water.
If you notice your flat or low-sloped roof is pooling water, use a soft broom to gently sweep the water towards the edges. Avoid walking on any area of the roof where there is water pooling, as that area could be weak. For added protection, if possible, take a mop or towels and absorb the remaining water to prevent further damages.
Cover the area with a plastic sheet.
Temporary repairs of roofs include missing shingles or debris falling on the roof. Use a tarp or plastic sheeting and several wooden boards to temporarily fix these areas. Take the plastic between two boards and nail it together to hold it in place tightly.
If you have a flat roof, lay the tarp over the area where the damage is and anchor it with boards around the edges. Place one set of boards over a peak on a sloped roof to hold a tarp in place. Never staple or nail a tarp directly to the roof. The boards should weigh enough that wind cannot blow them away, and the tarp should be periodically checked to determine if water is pooling under it.
What If You Ignore the Roof Leak and Do Nothing?
Leaving a leak unattended on the roof can be very destructive to the building, ending up creating more serious roofing problems. You will start experiencing higher repair expenses since these damages worsen with time.
Other long-term leak effects include mold growth, which increases expenses and creates health hazards for the occupants and pets. Finally, an unresolved leak can shorten the life of your roof, requiring you to replace it sooner.
You can avoid all these costly and health-damaging repercussions by addressing the leak in time by calling a professional offering roof repair in Long Island.
