Quick Fixes: Temporarily Covering a Roof

When faced with a leaky roof or damage caused by harsh weather conditions, it’s crucial to act promptly. While professional help is always advised, sometimes circumstances necessitate a quick fix. This article provides some suggestions for temporarily covering a roof, enabling you to prevent further damage until the professionals can come to the rescue.

Preliminary Precautions

Before starting any work on your roof, safety should be your priority. Avoid walking on a wet or damaged roof; it’s not only risky for you, but it can also exacerbate the problem. Ideally, you should assess the situation and take action from the ground or a secure ladder.

Covering Materials

Various materials can serve as a temporary roof cover. A common option is a tarpaulin (commonly known as a tarp). Tarps are waterproof, relatively durable, and come in various sizes. If a tarp isn’t available, heavy-duty plastic sheets can also work, although they’re not as sturdy.

Step-By-Step Guide to Covering a Roof Temporarily

1. Assess the damage: Locate the damaged or leaking area of the roof from the inside of your house. A flashlight can help if you’re looking in a dark attic. Keep in mind the location as you move outside.

2. Measure the area: You need to know the size of the area you want to cover. This will help you determine the size of the covering material required.

3. Select and prepare the covering material: Based on the size of the damaged area, select a tarp or plastic sheet large enough to cover it. It’s recommended that the material extend beyond the damaged area by at least 3 feet on all sides.

4. Position the material: Use a ladder to reach the damaged area. If the damage isn’t extensive, you can drape the material over the area and secure it using ropes and weights like bricks or heavy stones.

5. Secure the material: If the damage is more significant, you’ll need to secure the material more robustly. One way is by nailing strips of wood (also called battens) over the material edges. This can keep the material from blowing away and further ensures the damaged area is fully covered.

6. Regular checks: Regularly check your temporary roof cover to ensure it remains in place and is doing its job until you can get professional help.

Things to Remember

While the above steps can provide a temporary solution, it’s essential to understand that this is not a long-term fix. Depending on the severity of the damage, professional help should be sought promptly.

Remember that your home insurance policy might cover the cost of emergency repairs or provide a clause for ‘making safe’ – it’s worth checking this out. You should also take photos of the damage to support any insurance claims.

Covering a roof temporarily is a necessary step to mitigate further damage to your home. Always take caution when carrying out these measures, prioritizing safety. Ultimately, the best course of action is to hire professional roofers to repair the damage and ensure your home remains safe and secure for years to come.