Natgeos Green and Vibrant
A roof leak is never a good thing. This is true in good weather, even more so in heavy rain. The problem is that you don’t always know if your roof is leaking until it does. Not to mention it takes time to find a leak. So the question is, how to stop a roof leak in the rain?
Table of Contents
1. Find the Source
To stop a roof leak, you need to know what is allowing water to get into your house. You need to know not only where the source is but also where the visible damage is located.
Some leaks may be easier to find. For example, if the leak is located in the area where your ceiling is holding water. Some others are harder to find as they only show a small visible sign.
Inspect the interior of your house as well as the ceiling for water spots. Never underestimate a small spot as it can lead to a more extensive issue down the line.
2. Clear the Area
Can you fix a roof leak in the rain? Yes, you can. You will need to clear the area affected by the leak. Clearing the area will help you stop roof leak damage and figure out quickly if a leak is present.
Move furniture and other items out of the way of the leak. If they are too difficult to move, cover them with plastic covers so they don’t get wet.
Mop the wet area. Place pails to catch water. If the leak is coming through the floor above, use suction hoses to clear the area.
3. Apply Roofing Tar
How to stop a roof leak in the rain? By applying roofing tar. You can remove some tiles to find internal leaks and then use roofing tar to seal them in the inner ceiling.
Roofing tar works even better if you also use other materials such as plywood or shingle. Push the plywood or shingle against the leaking area then apply roofing tar to keep it dry.
4. Use a Covering Material
If the source of the leak is difficult to find, you may want to use a covering material. A polyethylene plastic cover, for example, can limit the amount of area affected by roof leaks and catch water trying to get in.
Measure the size of the leaking area. Give the cover three to four extra feet to minimize future roof leaks as much as possible.
Next, attach the cover to the leaking area using staples. Nail the cover to keep it in place. Keep the cover as thick as possible to maximize protection.
5. Use Tarpaulins
You know how to stop a roof leak in the rain. But what if a storm is expected to come tomorrow and you need a quick fix to the leak? The answer is tarpaulins.
A tarpaulin can provide coverage to the area you suspect to have an exterior leak. Use multiple tarpaulins if you have a large area to cover or if there are leaks in different spots.
That’s how to stop a roof leak in the rain. The best way to stop a leak is to know exactly what the cause is. If you know the cause, you can prevent it from happening again in the future.
