Naturally any roof leak is a cause of great concern and stress. It is also almost inevitable than when it occurs, the weather will be pretty poor which will serve to exacerbate the situation. It is always best to try and deal with a roof leak as soon as you notice that anything is going wrong. If water is dripping through there are a few things that you can do to deal with it as a temporary measure. So, as long as you have ruled out a water pipe leak, then the following advice will assist in dealing with this upsetting event.
First things first – survey the scene
If water is entering the property, carry out an internal inspection immediately to determine the source of the problem. It might seem to be stating the obvious, but sometimes the most obvious course of action is not followed, leading to wasted time and the potential for more damage to be caused. Look at the point at where the water is leaking. This will usually be a bedroom ceiling. Once you have an idea of whereabouts the leak is in relation to the roof, go into the loft with a torch and see if there are any further clues such as puddles of water, damp, mould or wet insulation. It is best to try and do this whilst it is still raining.
Inspecting the roof from the loft
Use a torch or flashlight if necessary. Take a good look at obvious parts where water could enter. This includes vents, the ridge, valley, dormers, chimney stack etc. If any water or damp is found around any of these areas, it strongly suggests that the flashing has failed. If there is no sign of any problems in any of these parts, then this suggests that the roof covering has a fault. Water can move horizontally through interstitial spaces and it will be difficult to pinpoint the exact spot where the slates or tiles need attention, so make a note of the general area where damp and wetness is discovered and then head outside for an external survey. In the meantime, take steps to minimise any further water damage by containing the leak.
Containing a roof leak to minimise damage
Some leaks are very obvious and are revealed as a steady drip in one location. In this instance, place a large container underneath that will hold the water until it stops raining. Remember to check it periodically in case it overflows. In the case of driving rain penetration, it can be more difficult to contain the leak. Protect the floor with plastic sheeting as much as possible. If water is dripping along rafters, it can sometimes be directed into a container by tying a piece of string from the beam and letting it hang over a bucket. Water will then flow along the string and be more easily controlled. If there has been an accumulation of water in a ceiling that is clearly visible as a bulge, poke or drill a small hole in the pool or bulge and let the water flow into a large receptacle. Do this as soon as possible to prevent water damage spreading at best or a full ceiling collapse at worst. It might also be worth using the string and bucket method to direct the water if it is dripping randomly over a larger area.
If water is ingressing via an electrical fitting, make sure that you isolate it immediately by turning the power off and call a qualified electrician to carry out any necessary safety checks as soon as possible.
Once it is safe to do so, carry out an external inspection of the roof. You should have a clear idea of where to look from your initial assessment of the internal space.
Trace the leak outside
If necessary, check from ground level using a pair of binoculars. Otherwise, if you are competent and know the safety drill for ladders, then use them to get close to the roof.
What to look for:
Temporary repairs – what to do
Internally, collect water in buckets and empty as necessary. Use a bucket in conjunction with plastic sheeting in the loft if water is collecting in pools and affecting the ceiling below.
Externally, many temporary solutions are possible that include from using emergency roof sealant or cement that is available from all hardware shops. This can be used for a variety of problems and is useful for sealing holes in flashing, in valleys and around the chimney/vents. In an extreme emergency, it is also possible to cover a hole in the roof with a sheet of plastic that has been framed with wood and anchored in place.
As soon as possible after the roof leak, get the appropriate remedial works carried out. Renew or re-fix loose or missing slates and tiles. Get the chimney re-pointed. Rake out old and worn flashing and replace it with new materials and to current standards. Check that all vents have seals in good condition, replace if worn out. Clear all gutters and downpipes, and check at least annually that they are still free-flowing.
This advice relates to emergency situations only for a longer term problem, such as a bowed roof, other action will be required. Remember, get any problem looked at as soon as you notice it so that it can be dealt with before it gets even worse and becomes even more costly to rectify. So, always check even apparently minor problems such as damp, don’t just wait for a catastrophe to happen.