Roof leaks are always a cause for concern, but a winter roof leak can be especially problematic. Winter conditions can make it more difficult to safely access the roof and repair the leak, potentially resulting in water quickly spreading inside and causing extensive damage. Here, we’ll cover some safe, temporary actions homeowners can take when facing a roof leak during a storm. We will also look at the signs that you should call a 24/7 emergency roofing service.
Immediate Safety and Damage-Control Steps (Indoors First)
The first step if your roof develops a major leak during a winter storm is to assess for any potential safety hazards, such as water coming into contact with any part of your electrical system. If water is leaking near an outlet, switch, or light fixture, you should immediately shut off the circuit breaker for that part of the house to avoid the chance of an electrical fire or someone getting electrocuted. If the leak results in the drywall on a ceiling getting overly waterlogged, it’s essential to stay out of the area due to the risk of the ceiling collapsing.
After assessing the situation, you should start taking steps to control the incoming water as best as you can to help minimize damage. This basically just means things like placing a large bucket under the leak to catch the water. This also includes using towels to soak up as much water as you can and moving all furnishings and electronics out of the area.
Temporary Roof Protection Options: What’s Realistic During a Storm
Unfortunately, there typically isn’t much you can really do to protect your roof while the storm is still going on. Rain, snow or ice make it extremely dangerous to climb onto the roof, especially if the visibility is low. Even if the roof is clear, you still shouldn’t attempt to go on it unless you have the proper safety equipment, including a full-body harness and anchors.
If you can safely access the roof and the weather clears up, you can use a tarp to cover the damaged section. However, it’s essential that you use boards to securely fasten the tarp to the roof. The safer and more effective option is to call a roofing company and have them tarp the roof for you.
When to Call 24/7 Emergency Service (and What to Expect)
If your roof only has a small drip and you’re able to contain the water, you don’t necessarily have to get a professional out to your house immediately. However, you should continue to monitor the leak to make sure it doesn’t get worse. Water dripping down a wall, off the ceiling, or large wet spots on drywall indicate a major leak that constitutes an emergency and requires immediate attention. The same is true if water is leaking in near any electrical fixtures.
When the roofers arrive, they’ll usually assess the situation from the attic first. For more serious leaks, tarping the roof is usually the best solution to temporarily stop the leak. If water is leaking in around any of the flashing, they may just use silicone to seal the flashing. Tarping the roof or sealing the leak is crucial for minimizing damage until the roof can be properly repaired or replaced.
If there’s still a major snowstorm going on, most roofing companies won’t go on the roof until the storm ends due to the risk of slipping and falling. Once the storm ends, they’ll then need to remove the snow before applying any type of temporary leak protection.
Next Steps After the Storm: Inspection, Documentation and Repair Plan
Having the roof fully inspected by an experienced professional roofer after the storm is crucial for assessing the extent of the damage and whether it can be repaired or if the roof needs to be replaced. It’s also essential to document all of the damage, as this helps if you need to file a claim with your homeowners insurance. Once you’ve temporarily stopped the leak, you should always contact your insurance company to have them send out an assessor and see if the necessary work is covered under your policy.
At John Beal Roofing, we offer 24/7 emergency roof repair in Kansas City, St. Louis, and all of the surrounding parts of Missouri and Illinois. We specialize in residential and commercial roof repair and have both short- and long-term solutions for every roofing problem. Our tarping service can stop the leak, and we’ll then come up with a plan on how best to permanently fix the problem. To get the immediate help you need, contact us for 24/7 emergency roof repair.
