Stop roof leaks to limit any interior damage

It’s that time of year again, and while we may be warm and comfortable inside, the condition of the roof outside may not be sufficient to hold back Mother Nature’s angry storms and rainy weather.

Rainy weather is when roof leaks get discovered. That’s when it’s too late for anything but a repair. No time to contemplate, no time to plan, just get to the phone and get a roofer there as soon as possible.

But, the rainy season is a roofer’s busiest season. In a really wet year, when weather is at its worst, roofers are even less available.

There are ways to slow the leaks down until you can navigate yourself into a proper repair.

First and foremost, it is important to properly deal with the leaks inside the house to minimize interior damage.

Here’s what happens: A water leak from the roof will slowly pond at the ceiling until it finds an escape route – usually a penetration point such as at a light fixture or heat register. In a sheetrock ceiling, a taped joint is another weak spot.

After several hours of puddling in the attic, a simple single roof leak can manifest itself inside the home as multiple leaks – making even the simplest roof leak appear to be much worse than it really is.

With multiple leaks it is almost impossible to keep things dry at the “wettest spot” in the ceiling.

Punch a hole right in the middle and be prepared to collect a flood of water. The solution to this problem really is quite simple. If the leak isn’t obvious, look for a bulge in the ceiling. Giving the water an escape route will minimize leak management to one or two locations, but initially it will release gallons of trapped water quickly, so be prepared.

Once the leak inside is under control you can choose to manage collection with buckets or redirect it outside with a bottle funnel. Here’s what you’ll need to do the job: an old plastic 1-gallon bottle, duct tape, garden hose, and a ladder.

Cut off the bottom of the bottle and turn it upside down to create a 1-gallon funnel. Use the duct tape to attach one end of the garden hose to the small opening at the bottle neck and direct the other end of the hose outside (either through a window or door). Finally, tape the bottle funnel to the ladder so that it is immediately beneath the leak. Water into the bottle is fed through the hose and back outside.

Once you have managed the leak inside, you can attack the outside. Keep in mind that it is nearly impossible for most of us to permanently stop a roof leak in the rain, if for no other reason than we are in a hurry to get out of the bad weather.

Step one is to crawl into the attic and use a flashlight to find the leak.

Remember, the leak in the ceiling and the leak in the roof may not align. If your roof covering is over a layer of plywood, then you should keep in mind that water will generally travel from the leak in the roofing material to the nearest joint in the plywood.

The next thing to do is to go outside and study that general area through a pair of binoculars. A close look at the general vicinity of the leak may or may not render an answer, but it is worth a “safe” look from a distance. Here’s what to look for:

* One or more missing shingles.

* Ponding water (flat roofs).

* A large tree limb or heavy object fallen onto the roof.

* Plumbing or heating vent pipe.

* Leaves or debris causing a dam.

Missing shingle? Replace it with another shingle. If you don’t have one and all of the stores are closed, make one from a piece of tin or plastic.

Ponding water? Sweep away the water with a broom. Look for a seam that can be lifted. Cover with a thick glob of “wet patch” roof patching compound.

Clearing leaves and debris and allowing water to flow normally can immediately make a leak go away. Any blockage can cause a leak. Even a blockage in a gutters or downspout can result in a roof leak.

Visit The Carey Brothers Web site at www.onthehouse.com or call 800-737-2474 Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. They are also on KRKO (1380-AM) from 6 to 8 a.m. every Saturday.