If you’re reading this, chances are you’re probably dealing with some sort of water damage and looking for temporary fixes for a leaking roof. If the damage is minor, you may not need to hire a professional right away. Making minor DIY roof repairs can help you save money for when you’re ready to hire the pros.
Keep in mind these small issues will most definitely develop into bigger problems down the road if left unchecked. As soon as you patch up the issue, make sure to contact a professional roofer right away. Whether your leak is from extensive storm damage or just wear and tear from over the years, give Eagle Eye a call. We can help determine whether you’ll be able to make an insurance claim, repair the damage to your roof, or replace the roof altogether.
In the meantime, if you’re in a pinch, here are 4 temporary fixes for a leaky roof you can try.
- Polyethylene Plastic Sheets
- Water Proof Tarps
- Tar Paper
- Patching (or Plugging)
4 Temporary Fixes For A Leaking Roof
Polyethylene Plastic Sheets
If you have any holes on your roof, plastic sheeting is a somewhat reliable option (as long as you get an actual roof repair soon after). Take sturdy sheets of plastic and fasten them to the roof using roofing nails. In addition, you can weigh it down using large rocks or bricks. In drastic cases, duct tape can always be used to help keep the plastic on, as well as to fill small holes.
Water Proof Tarps
Easily the most common of the temporary fixes, a good ol’ fashioned waterproof tarp is actually a very reliable temporary fix for a leaking roof. The tricky part about using tarps is that you have to make sure that it A) covers the entire area where the leak is coming from or where there is visible damage and B) has to be flat against your roof so that there aren’t any gaps where water can slide through. As with the plastic sheets, you can nail down the edges or use duct tape to keep it secure so that if another storm comes by, it won’t blow away and leave your roof susceptible to more damage and leaks.
Pro tip: if one tarp isn’t enough or if you want to be extra careful, add an extra layer or two of tarps.
Tar Paper
You can use tar paper and plastic roofing cement to remedy a leaky roof as well. Using a caulk gun or putty knife, you can spread the tar paper on your roof to cover the area of damage. You can typically find roofing cement at a lot of hardware stores. If you can get your hands on some roofing felt in a short amount of time, you can put that on top, which will act as an extra layer to protect your home from further damage. Remember roof cement will only temporarily fix the roof leak and an actual roof repair will eventually be needed. 
Patching (or Plugging)
Patching roof leaks using roofing tape is also a potential solution. If you notice where the roof leak is coming from inside your attic, simply apply roofing tape to the area. This is a much safer way to remedy the leak and is the best option for anyone not comfortable getting up on their roof (especially if you don’t have someone to assist with holding the ladder). This method will work if the rain has stopped, but the adhesive properties of the tape may wear away if it is still raining hard.
Another option in line with patching a roof repair is plugging. Using water and a powder that is similar to roofing cement, you can pour it into the top of your roof leak where the damage is. The mixture will then dry solid and stop water from getting in. However, it won’t work for a super long time. Eventually, you’ll need to repeat the process until a professional roofer can come by and fix the issue.
For homeowners in the Houston, Texas area, in need of emergency roof repairs or a new roof make sure to give Eagle Eye a call ASAP. We’re the premier storm damage repair roofing team in Houston and are ready to help restore your home’s integrity at the drop of a hat!
