What to Do Immediately When You Have a Leaking Roof
Leaking roof emergencies can strike without warning, leaving homeowners unsure of what to do next. If you’re dealing with a leaking roof, it’s essential to act quickly to minimize water damage before professional help arrives. Unfortunately, many people aren’t prepared for how to respond when water starts dripping through the ceiling—which can lead to costly repairs if ignored.
As a licensed residential roofing contractor, we understand how stressful a leaking roof can be. That’s why we’ve put together practical tips to help you stay in control and reduce damage until your roofing repair expert can fix the issue.
Minimize Ceiling Damage
Don’t be alarmed if you see your ceiling begin to bulge under the weight of the water. All water has the same goal—to flow down to the lowest point in the easiest way possible, which sometimes means flowing down to create leaks in your ceiling.
After several hours have passed, you might have multiple spots in your ceiling where water is trying to escape. If this is the case, you will want to poke a small hole where you see a bulge in the ceiling or where there seems to be the most moisture. Place a bucket underneath to catch the dripping. Doing this will minimize the damage to your ceilings and save you money in water damage repair.
Be Mindful of Electricity
If you notice water in your light fixture, immediately shut off your home’s electricity via the breaker box. Water and electricity create a dangerous combination, so you should not attempt to release the water from the light fixture yourself or even turn off the light switch. Contact an emergency electrician as soon as possible so that they can safely install a new light fixture.
Find the Leaks
No one wants to go into a dusty attic in the middle of a thunderstorm, but it’s what we’re advising you to do next. If you want to stop the leak, you’ll need to find it first. It’s not uncommon for the leak in the roof and the leak in your ceiling to not align. Don’t be discouraged. Keep looking.
If your roof was installed over a layer of plywood, the water would move from the outside point of entry in your roof to the nearest plywood joint. Also, be mindful of how water could travel along the unique slope of the roof. Finding the source of the leak is important for minimizing water damage to your home.
Do Temporary Repairs for a Leaking Roof
If you can locate where the water is coming into your home from a leaking roof, you’re ready to move on to the next step. While you are waiting for the services of an emergency roofing repair contractor, it’s essential to take immediate action to prevent further damage caused by the leaking roof.
As a homeowner, you have three reliable options for temporary leaking roof repair. These include using a tarp, roofing tape, or roofing cement—all of which can be easily purchased at your local home improvement store.
Roofing cement or tape can be applied either on the roof decking inside your attic or directly on the exterior surface of the leaking roof. If you feel confident and safe climbing up, consider placing a heavy-duty tarp over the damaged section of the roof.
Make sure to leave at least four extra feet of tarp on all sides of the leak to ensure complete coverage of the vulnerable area. Secure the tarp using 2×4 boards, and staple or nail it in place if necessary to protect against more rain.
If you require our emergency roofing repair service, please get in touch with our Ada roofing contractors at 616-784-5700. At Professional Home Improvement, our experienced roofing contractors can help you identify the common causes of roof leaks and offer excellent roof repair services.
Ready to Transform Your Home?
At Professional Home Improvements, we offer a wide range of expert services — from roofing and siding to window installation, gutter solutions, and full kitchen or bathroom remodels. No matter the size of your project, our experienced team is here to deliver quality craftsmanship you can rely on.
Whether you’re planning a small upgrade or a complete home renovation, we have the skills and materials to bring your vision to life.
Brands We Work With
At Professional Home Improvements, we believe in using only the highest quality materials from trusted industry-leading brands. These manufacturers provide durable, energy-efficient, and stylish products that ensure long-lasting results for our clients.
We proudly work with the following brands:
- CertainTeed – https://www.certainteed.com/
- Mastic by Ply Gem – https://mastic.plygem.com/
- Weather Shield – https://weathershield.com/
- Alside – https://www.alside.com/
- Quality Edge – https://qualityedge.com/
