What Should I Do If My Roof is Leaking?

Picture this: you’re casually walking through your house and feel a drop of water from above. You look up at your ceiling and see a wet spot. Sound familiar? Then you’re probably dealing with a roof leak.

What Causes My Roof to Leak?

There are a few common causes for roof leakage, such as:

• Heavy foot traffic on top of the roof without walk pads

• Weakness at the seams

• Dried out pitch pans or caulking

• Rain getting through HVAC access panels

• Exposure to the elements, namely ice and snow

• General neglect/lack of roof inspection

The list above is not comprehensive, and some may be more or less obvious than others. A professional roofing company like Tarheel can accurately determine the root cause upon inspection.

Now read on to see what you should do if your roof is leaking.

Should I Leave It Alone?

Definitely do NOT wait to fix a leaking roof. Avoiding or ignoring the leak may cause it to worsen.

According to The National Roofing Contractors Association, you should inspect your roof twice a year - once in the fall and once in the spring. This can not only help assess roof leaks, but other areas of concern specific to your roof.

Contact Tarheel Roofing and Construction for a roof inspection. Our company services areas within a 50 mile radius of Akron, Ohio. Maintenance comes included with all of our roofing services!

Contain the Leak

First, try to contain the leak as much as possible. Use buckets or bins to catch the water and towels to wipe up the floor. This will reduce the impact of the water damage to both your ceiling and your floor. If the leak is severe, have spare buckets or bins to the side.

Grab Some Tarp

Tarp is another great option to contain the leak - simply cover the area with tarp. Use tarp that’s at least 6mm thick and extends at least 4ft across the area and up to the peak. Tuck the tarp under the shingles if needed and use roofing nails to hold it in place.

Using tarp will require you to get on top of your roof. If your roof is not safe to climb, call a professional roofing company such as Tarheel Roofing and Construction.

Use Roof Cement

For a temporary fix, use roof cement, silicone, or rubber sealant. Silicone works best on smaller holes. Roof cement is best for dry conditions, whereas rubber sealant is best for wet conditions. Remember, this is not a long-term solution, and it’s best to call a roofing contractor for a permanent fix.

Call a Roofing Company ASAP

Once you’ve staved off the leak for the time being, get in touch with a roofing company as soon as possible. Even if water is no longer leaking, it could still be affecting the cavity of the roof. You don’t want to risk structural damage to your property.

It’s best to get a professional’s opinion to identify the cause of the problem, implement a solution, and predict other roofing problems before they occur. Tarheel Roofing and Construction has over 40 years of combined roofing experience to get the job done.

If your roof is leaking, don’t wait - contact Tarheel in Kent, Ohio for a variety of roofing services! Call 330-678-9000 or email us at tarheelinc.ford@gmail.com.