10 Emergency Roof Repair Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

Roof leaks, roof repairs, and roof replacements are no joke. They can be extremely costly, time-consuming, and stressful. Especially if your roof repair or replacement is not covered by insurance, you are looking at thousands of dollars out of your pocket to repair broken shingles, dented gutters, and leaking roof tiles. 

So, how do you combat damage before it spreads? When do you need a professional roof inspection? Are you qualified to perform emergency roof repairs, or should you only do least urgent roof repairs?

Instead of waiting for it to worsen, take matters into your own hands by learning emergency roof repair tips before it is too late! 

10 Must-Know Emergency Roof Repair Tips 

Homeowners need to take matters into their own hands if they realize something is wrong with the condition of their roof.

Whether their roof was the victim of high winds, hail damage, or severe weather events, fixing the damage before it spreads is a must-have before it leads to an entire replacement. Homeowners need to remain calm and perform minor roofing work on the semi emergency to prevent further damage.

So what are the must-know emergency roof repair tips that homeowners should know to keep cost at an all-time low?

Use a Tarp To Cover The Leak

The first tip to keep in mind when it comes to an emergency repair is to use a tarp to cover the leak. Although this is a temporary fix, you can quickly stop the leak from ruining the interior of your home, your floors, your walls, and your structural foundation.

Using a tarp is not only quick, but it is easy — almost all homeowners have a tarp lying around in the backyard or the basement they can use. 

The tarp works well to protect the damaged area by keeping the moisture out. Homeowners can drape the top of the tarp over the point of the roof to collect water and prevent water intrusion. Then, nail down the edges of the tarp to secure it from blowing away during lightning strikes, and you are good to go. 

Use Roofing Cement To Patch The Leak

The next emergency roof repair tip to consider for homeowners is to use roofing cement to patch the small leak. Cement is slightly more permanent than a tarp, making a patch job on your roof easy, fast, and effective when dealing with a dry roof.

The process of applying roof cement is simple for a quick DIY fix, with homeowners only needing to use the cement in the precise portion that is leaking. 

Use Caulk or Silicone

The next emergency roof repair fix for homeowners is to use caulk or silicone to plug the affected area and minimize damage. For those who have just a small home in a singular shingle or siding, the caulk or silicone is a fast and easy fix that can help plug cracks, holes, or water leaks.

Use a Rubber Sealant

Another method homeowners can use for emergency roof repair options is to use a rubber sealant coating to prevent the leak from spreading. Although this is not a permanent fix, this rubber sealant coating is effective at plugging the leaking area in both wet and dry conditions. 

Use Roof Flashing

The next option for homeowners to stop leaking or cracks in their roof is roof flashing. This thin material is effective for covering shingles in leaking areas to prevent water from getting into the house. Flashing is an effective way for homeowners to stop leaks around chimneys and moisture-prone areas.

Use Replacement Shingles

With bigger-scale leaks that can cause water damage in your home, sometimes handles must be replaced. In this case, homeowners need to use replacement shingles to patch the roof leak before it spreads. Using a replacement shingle is essential for those who need to fix loose or broken shingles on the roof. 

Use a Temporary Metal Shingle

Instead of using a replacement shingle from a store, you can create a temporary shingle with your own materials by using metal or plastic. If you need to replace a shingle, but don’t have the supplies, use sheet metal to match the size and shape of the other shingles on the roof. 

Replace Flashing Boot

Another emergency roof repair tip that homeowners should follow is using a replacement pipe flashing boot to get rid of the old cracked or busted pipe flashing boot. Luckily for homeowners, the flash boot is inexpensive from a local hardware store! 

Record the Damage

As a homeowner, you are not expected to have a professional roofing license; therefore, sometimes, the best thing you can do with an emergency on your roof is to simply record the unexpected roof damage.

This way, you can send this significant damage to your insurance company and nearby roofing contractor who can do the necessary work to safeguard your home. The best way to protect yourself is to take photos of the structural damage, write down the damage to your roof, and record any estimates and invoices from the insurance company or roofing contractor. 

Sometimes, you may find that the fire damage or roof problem cannot be fixed with a temporary solution. In this case, you may need to use emergency roof tarping before contacting roofing companies to get a new roof. Make sure you use a licensed contractor with insurance coverage before taking immediate action to fix the storm damage.

Contact Your Insurance Company

The last emergency roof repair tip is to contact your insurance agent and be honest. Make sure to speak with them ahead of time to increase your likelihood of getting your roof replacement or emergency roof repairs covered by an insurance claim. 

As you can see, homeowners need to know the signs of a roofing emergency and extensive roof damage so they can keep the structural integrity of their house. By recognizing a roof repair emergency, homeowners can immediately repair a damaged roof and contact roofing contractors for a roof inspection.

Knowing when it is time to get a roof replacement can help prevent storm damage from turning into emergency repairs. Overall, a homeowner’s main priority is knowing when to conduct emergency repairs, how to book a roof inspection by roofing contractors, and how temporarily-repaired roofs may need emergency fixes.