We can expect a lot of rain in the coming months now that winter is approaching. Normal to wetter conditions are anticipated this winter, and the tiles on the roof will most likely be tested.
Nobody wants to find out that water is coming in through the ceiling because this can completely disrupt and ruin your day. When water starts to leak, it is, of course, necessary that you take immediate action to prevent further damage to your home. What can you do if water starts dripping or even flowing through the roof?
Stop the leak and collect the water.
Although it may seem obvious, if you discover an active leak in your roof, the first thing to do is try and minimize the water damage. Therefore, put a plastic cover over anything that could get soaked, and put out some buckets to collect the dripping water. Furthermore, remove any electronics and other devices from the room.
Water is likely building up on the opposite side of where the water drips in. If you suspect where the water might accumulate, you can use a screwdriver to make a hole in the ceiling so that the water comes down in a controlled manner and does not cause any greater hidden damage. Take caution in where you drill the hole and make sure it is accurate.
Find the source of the leak.
Once you’ve done everything you can to get the situation under control and minimized damage in your home, it’s time to get your roof repaired. However, the repair works can only start once the rain has stopped. Still, it is crucial to begin the repairs immediately and as soon as possible as the damage can increase if it starts to rain again.
But, it is often difficult to pinpoint the exact place where the water is coming in because it can enter the roof in one place and flow to another before it begins to penetrate the ceiling. If you have an attic, the easiest way to find the leak on a rainy day is to inspect the top of the attic. The leak will most likely become apparent from water stains on the interior ceiling and point to the location of the leak.
Once you locate the source of the water, mark the area with a marker so you can fix the problem on a sunny day. To be able to repair the damage, you need to know what caused the leak. To find the cause of the leak, you will have to go out on the roof with a metaphorical magnifying glass to find out what’s wrong.
If you prefer not to go on the roof yourself, it is safer and recommended to hire a roofer. Nevertheless, if you do plan on doing this yourself, always make sure you follow all safety precautions, wear a safety harness and strap yourself in with professional equipment such as Miller branded equipment.
Fix the leak
In most cases, leaks occur because roof tiles are either damaged or not in their proper place. If some roof tiles are cracked, missing, or in poor condition, replacing them can often solve the problem. In such scenarios, you can solve the cause of the leak by yourself, as long as it only concerns a few roof tiles. Just make sure you use the right roof tiles because there are many different types of tiles on the market that can look alike at first glance.
If the roof looks alright after doing some research, the water may have entered at a different location. So if your roof tiles are in good condition and positioned correctly, the two most common causes for a leak are (1) the chimney or (2) blocked gutters. A chimney problem should be properly sealed to prevent water ingress and, in this case, you should definitely hire a professional. You can easily clean clogged gutters yourself though.
If the cause is a blocked gutter, you’re probably able to clean it yourself given that the roof is not too high. Grab a ladder and some latex gloves and, you can easily get the job done. If the gutters are too cluttered with junk for water to drain from the roof, that is an invitation for trouble and the water will find another way down. Therefore, remove all dirt from the gutters and test with a few buckets of water to check whether the water flows down properly afterwards.
