A damaged roof can cause significant stress and trouble for your home, but it’s crucial to identify the problems and address them as soon as possible to maintain the integrity of your home. Whether it’s a small leak or a large hole, roof damage can be the result of various sources that significantly harm your home.
But while you prepare for a permanent roof replacement or repair, your roof needs temporary solutions to prevent further damage from happening. Therefore, in this blog post, we will discuss the possible methods you can use to cover up your roof before more permanent repairs, or a complete replacement, can be made.
How To Identify A Damaged Roof
Here are some signs that indicate you might be dealing with a damaged roof. Keep in mind that identifying them and resolving them on time will help prevent future damage.
Leaks Or Water Stains
Check your ceilings, walls, and other places for water stains or dampness. This typically indicates a severe leak in the roof.
Missing Or Damaged Shingles On The Roof
Thoroughly inspect your roof for any missing, cracked, or curling shingles. These can allow water to seep in and make damage worse over time.
Sagging Areas
If you spot any sagging or drooping areas on your roof, it could mean that the structure of your roof is compromised and needs some professional help.
Granules In Gutters
If you find any shingle granules lying in the gutter channels, it’s another sign that your shingles are deteriorating and need to be replaced before they let in leaks.
Mold Growth
Another small, yet very important thing, that signifies a roof leak is the growth of mold inside your attic and other parts of your interior. This is a major sign that significant moisture is present within the roofing system, which requires immediate action if it’s caused by a leak.
Temporary Solutions To Cover Large-Scale Damage On A Roof
Here are some of the temporary solutions that you can use to control your damaged roof before you have a professional replace it.
1. Roof Tarps
Roof tarps are a popular choice for homeowners dealing with roof leaks or damage. Made out of waterproof and durable products, roof tarps are ideal for protecting your home from elements that can harm your roof.
Function
A roof tarp helps you by acting as a barrier over the damaged area of your roof, preventing rainwater from entering your home.
Benefits
Roof tarps are relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and can be found at most hardware stores. They come in various sizes, allowing you to choose one that fits your specific needs.
How to Use Roof Tarps
Choose The Right Size: Select a tarp that is big enough to cover the entire damaged area and extends at least two feet beyond it on all sides.
Secure The Tarp: Climb onto your roof carefully and lay the tarp over the affected area. Use roofing nails or heavy weights to secure the edges of the tarp.
Check For Stability: Make sure you tightly bind the tarp to keep it unaffected by heavy wind.
2. Polyethylene Sheets
The next product on our list is polyethylene plastic sheets, which are another versatile option for temporarily protecting a damaged roof. Using solid polyethylene sheets on your leaky roof can provide excellent durability and resistance to punctures and save your roof temporarily until you’re ready to make repairs or replace it.
Function
Like tarps, polyethylene sheets serve as a waterproof barrier to cover leaks or damaged areas on your roof.
Benefits
They are lightweight, easy to handle, and can be cut to size according to your needs. Their resistance to various weather conditions makes them suitable for short-term use.
How to Use Polyethylene Plastic Sheets
Select The Thickness: For roofing, choose sheets that are at least 6 mils thick for better durability.
Cut To Size: Cut the polyethylene sheet so it extends at least one foot beyond the leak on all sides.
Secure The Sheet: Use roofing nails or staples to attach the sheet to your roof, ensuring that you overlap edges for maximum coverage.
Add Wooden Strips: To stop the sheet from flapping, use wooden strips to pin down the edges of the sheet.
How To Temporarily Repair Smaller Roof Leaks
After discussing a few major ways to cover the roof and prevent further leaks, here are some ways to repair minor roof leaks yourself before experts arrive.
1. Roofing Felt
Commonly known as tar paper, roofing felt is another temporary solution for roof damage that is often used as an underlayment during roof installations. However, this felt can also be used to fix leaks and other forms of damage as an immediate solution during emergencies.
Function
Even though roofing felt is designed to be used as an underlayment on the roof, it’s a water-resistant material and can act as a temporary barrier against water if used carefully.
How It Prevents Damage:
When applied over a damaged area, roofing felt helps keep moisture out until permanent repairs can be made.
Steps For Using Roofing Felt
Cut The Felt: Measure and cut a piece of roofing felt large enough to cover the damaged area
Lay It Down: Position the felt on the damaged area and make sure it overlaps the edges of the small tear or leak for better protection
Secure With Nails: Use roofing nails or cement to fasten the felt down, making sure to seal around any nail heads with more roofing cement
2. Roof Patching
Patching can be an effective temporary solution for small leaks or holes in your roof.
Function:
Patching involves sealing small openings to prevent water from entering, typically with the same material as what is already on the roof.
How It Prevents Damage
The most common way to get rid of leaks and holes with the patching method is to cover the area with a similar roofing material in order to stop leaks before a professional can get on the scene.
Steps For Using Patching:
Identify the Hole: Locate any small holes or cracks in your roof
Use Roofing Cement: Apply roofing cement around and inside the hole using a putty knife
Cover with a Patch: Place a small piece of shingle or other material over the cement for added protection
3. Sealant
Primarily used as a waterproof coating to help with gaps, cracks, and other forms of roof damage. Sealant can also be used as a temporary method to cover the leaks and keep your home safe till the replacement of your roof.
Function
Sealant creates a waterproof layer that maintains the roof’s condition while filling in small cracks or joints where leaks may occur. Keep in mind that this is for only minimal leaks or gaps.
How It Prevents Damage
By sealing these areas, you can effectively stop water from getting through.
Steps For Applying Sealant
Clean the Area: Make sure the surface is clean and dry before applying any sealant
Apply Sealant: Use a caulking gun to coat the silicone or roofing sealant directly into cracks or around loose shingles
Smooth It Out: Use a tool to smooth out the sealant for better adhesion
Safety Considerations
Safety should always be your top priority while working on your roof. Here are some important safety tips to follow when you’re implementing temporary repairs.
Wear Appropriate Gear
Use non-slip shoes, and consider wearing a harness if you’re working on a steep roof.
Check Weather Events
During bad weather conditions, you must avoid putting yourself in danger and avoid working on your roof during rain or periods of strong wind, because it can be dangerous for you.
Use Ladders Safely
Make sure that your ladder is stable and positioned correctly before climbing up to the roof. If possible, get someone to hold the ladder and make sure it’s steady.
Work With A Partner
If possible, ask someone for help while you work on the roof to ensure your safety.
Why Should You Call A Professional For Permanent Repairs?
All the methods discussed in this blog post will help you protect your home from water damage until you can arrange for professional repairs. While these solutions are not permanent fixes, they can significantly reduce the chance of further damage happening during emergencies. But keep in mind that even using a tarp to cover your roof damage might require professional help and can’t always be done by homeowners if it puts their well-being at risk.
That’s where our team at Prestige Roofing LLC, comes in. We offer emergency tarping services in order to provide you with instant protection when your home needs it most. If you need any help regarding repairs or a roof replacement, you can give us a call today at (920) 791-0414, talk to one of our professionals, and answer all your questions.