What to Do If Roof is Leaking During Storm

Roof leaks can cause big problems under any weather. They can damage your ceiling tiles and other parts of the house. It is even worse when a roof leak pops up during a rainstorm.

A leaking roof during such times must be handled immediately since it can quickly become an emergency. As you may already know, any leaky roof is much easier to notice when it’s raining.

Now, it’s easy to notice damage on your roof when it’s leaking. But what you do next is what matters. In most cases, any homeowner will want to contact an experienced roofing contractor for such tasks, but they are nothing they can do when the storm is passing.

Thus, you need to learn some temporary fix tricks to hold the affected areas and save your home. An experienced roofer will come to inspect the roofing issue later and fix it permanently. They will also check for issues like clogged gutters to prevent future leaks.

But for now, it’s upon you to do something when the roof is leaking. And that is what we have shared in this guide. We will show the best and simplest solutions for this issue.

With the roof leaking and the storm getting worse, you can never wait until an experienced roofer comes by. You need to do something urgently to try and avoid further roof damage while protecting the inside of your home.

Here are the tips we have shared.

Protect the Interior From Further Damage

The first and most important thing to do is to minimize interior damage to your house. Any active leaks dropping water on your furniture, carpets, books, and other valuable items should be handled immediately.

In many cases, a roof leak during heavy rain forms a small puddle in the artic or ceiling until there is a way to escape. It can come to start dropping inside the house through light fixtures or heating register.

Another easy pass for the water is the corners of ceiling joints. You will notice the water dropping in too first, but that is not where the roof is damaged.

Various factors cause roof leaks. It could be loose roof sealant, missing shingles, or a fallen branch that has created a hole in your roofing material. Thus, it could come from more than one source.

Check your wall and the ceiling for anything that appears out of the ordinary. A bulge in our drywall and obvious signs of stagnant water on the ceiling way let it water eventually.

So how do you protect your interior and perhaps prevent further leaks? Consider the following:

Poke a hole in the bulge mentioned above

Any water collecting on your ceiling will eventually find a way. You don’t want to wait until it spreads all over. You can control where the leak falls by poking a hole in that area and then using pots, pans, or buckets to collect the water.

When you notice a dark spot or water bulge from the ceiling, it signifies pooling water. The water can spread and cause severe roofing issues, even if it’s just small leaks.

Checking the affected area will help you notice and deal with damage issues earlier.

A good fix would be to use a screwdriver and make a small hole. You then use a pan, a bucket, or any other container to control where the water falls in your home’s interior.

Move everything from the affected area

The leaking water can cause permanent damage to some of your items. So, if possible, move them out of the way, or cover them with a waterproof material.

Keep your floor dry

It’s not only the roofing materials that should be protected. You don’t want the water getting in and wetting your floor either. You can keep it dry by placing a drop cloth, garbage bag, or tarp.

Do these things as soon as possible to give you an easy time cleaning. It’s all about protecting your home.

You can then call your local roofer for a free roofing estimate later when you are ready for serious fixes.

Locate the Source

Water damage during a storm can easily turn into a major emergency. Thus, one of the best ways to find a quick solution is to know where the water leaks.

Now, this part can be a bit challenging, especially for those who don’t know what to look for.

So, the step is to know the common causes of roof leaks. Most roofing companies will share this information easily, helping homeowners to stay alert.

The main causes include:

Missing shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most common roofing material in most parts of the USA. When they go missing or get broken, you can never avoid leaks.

Plumbing and cooling unit issues

When water starts leaking from the ceiling joints and corners, one of the main causes is the AC units.

Falling debris

Storm damage can cause falling debris on your house, which can easily cause leaks.

The best way to handle such issues is to find a permanent solution. However, this may not be possible during the rainy weather as most roofers will have even downed their tools.

Take the following steps:

• Do a visual inspection. Try to assess the roof from inside the house as best as possible. Any leak inside your house causing interior damage could have an obvious cause, like the ones mentioned above.
• Check clogged gutters. When gutters are clogged, the water will have nowhere to go but leak inside your house. So asses the damaged area, and you may just find the right solution.
• Check the chimney. For houses with chimneys, look for gaps in the flashing around vents or roof slopes.
• Check the whole house for common issues. Damaged drywall, issues in the heating register, a leak through the light fixture, and similar issues are obvious signs of a damaged area in your roof. Look for them keenly and then try to find the easiest solution.

Record every little detail you see, as it can help when explained to a professional roofer. Also, it is much easier to fix something when you know the problem source.

Know What Your Insurance Can Cover

A small hole on your roof may not be a big problem. But if the storm damage is significant, you will probably need a new roof.

So, while waiting for the roofer to come and fix your home, determine whether your insurance covers storm damage. Many regions that experience heavy rainstorm threats have such covers in the homeowner’s insurance policies.

It’s only gross negligence that cannot be covered; like when you don’t fix roof problems in good time, causing water to leak into your home’s interior.

The insurance is not an automatic cover. You have the burden to prove the leak came suddenly and without any warning.

Falling branches and other debris are a common cause of leaks. The water piles up in the ceiling and looks for an escape route in the nearest joint or any part of your roof.

Use Fasteners to Nail Your Roof Down

Finding a solution for the leak may not be a choice at the moment. You may have to tarp and fasten any weak spots as the next best solution.

You can use a tarp to cover the problem. But for this, you will need to wait until the roof is safe enough to climb.

Sometimes finding the problem is never easy. You can start by looking at the area inside your house that has more leaks. You could use a small puddle to ensure the place is properly secured.

Tuck the protection under the shingles and use nails to hold it in place. This can protect your roof against strong winds and take you through the storm period.

Check Your Roof Thoroughly

Once the storm passes, consider checking your roof to determine any other issues that can cause more damage.

Do you have pest infestation problems in your home? It could be one of the reasons why you are facing such water leakage problems.

Check the gutters, shingles, and any other area that may have caused the problem. In case the roof leaks from multiple places, you may need a new flashing or a complete re-roofing.

Some issues are easy to fix yourself. But when you notice persistency in the leaks or are concerned the roof is compromised, it’s better to call your local roofing professionalfor assessment and a permanent solution.

Ensure the roofing company you hire has the experience and expertise to keep your roof safe. This is because your insurance company will only come in if a professional roofer is working on the problem.

Lenox Roofing is here to help you. This is a company that has offered roofing and emergency roof repair services in Myrtle Beach, SC, for many years. This is an area that experiences storm and hail quite often. Get in touch today and put your worries to rest.