How To Fix A Leaking Roof From The Inside?

Drip, drip, drip…Oh no, your roof has a leak! Now what?

You might want to fix it from the outside. However, that would be pretty difficult if it’s currently raining or snowing out there. And if you need to get the leak fixed right now to prevent further damage, you have one option – to fix it from the inside. In this article, we’re going to cover how to find any roof leaks and repair them without stepping foot outside. So, if you’re looking for how to fix a leaking roof from the inside, you’ve come to the right place. Just remember that most of the time, this would be a temporary solution to help prevent further damage, which means that you’ll probably need replacement somewhere down the line.

If you’d rather get a professional to replace the roof for you, you can always call our team here at Legacy Service. We have expertise in roof replacement and installation, and we’re ready to help you out during your moment of need. You can reach us at 215-798-9790 or fill out a contact form here to let us know you need service or to learn more about how we can help you.

If you want to do it yourself, continue reading to learn how to repair a leaking roof from the inside:

Tools You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather the tools you’ll to fix a roof leak from the inside. They include:

• Rubber Gloves
• Flashlight
• Caulking
• 5-Gallon Bucket
• Roof Patch (Tar)
• Scraper
• Utility Knife
• Nail

Next, you’ll need to find the actual leak(s). We cover that in the next section.

How to Find Roof Leaks

You can’t fix a roof leak without knowing where it’s located. Follow the steps below to find out where any of the leaks are (or you can always call a company that provides emergency roofing services).

1. Go into your attic – As you probably already suspected, you’ll need to get into your attic to find your roof leaks from the inside. Once you’re in the attic, remove the insulation from the ceiling and use sponges to gently remove standing water. When doing this, lay a piece of plywood across the ceiling joists to work from as well as a bucket to wring the water into.
2. Find the leak(s) – Now you’ll have to determine where the water is coming from. The best approach is to find where the water is dripping inside your home, and then follow its path up to where it’s coming in the roof. This can be difficult since most roofs are sloped and the actual leak may be pretty far from where it’s dripping inside. Remember that the water usually follows along the roof’s decking or rafters.

Did you find the leak yet? Flashlights are a big help when it comes to finding the culprit. If you and the other members of your house still can’t locate the source, you may have to contact a professional roofing company.

Divert the Water

Even if you’ve found the leak, if it’s raining heavily, you might not be able to patch it up just yet. In most cases, roof patches will not be able to hold in wet conditions because they don’t have time to cure. However, there are ways to divert the water in the meantime. Here’s what you can do if you’re not even able to fix a leak in the roof from the inside:

1. It’s a good idea to find a path for the water to drain. You can do this by sticking a nail in the hole that’s leaking. This attracts the water and allows it to flow in one direction.
2. Put a large bucket under the area to catch the water. Check and empty it every now and then to make sure it doesn’t overflow.
3. Once the area is dry enough, seal it with a temporary patch using the steps below.

If the area is already dry enough to patch, you can skip diverting the water altogether and just go on to making a temporary patch.

Make a Temporary Patch

If you found the source of the leak, it’s time to make a temporary patch. This patch isn’t designed to last permanently, but until you can get the leak repaired by a professional. It will be used to help stop further damage from happening while it’s still storming outside. Here’s what you can do to stop the bleeding:

1. Make a temporary patch – Once you find the source of the leak, you’ll have to make a temporary patch. You can do this by using plywood or shingle along with roofing tar. First, on the inside of your roof, spread the tar into the hole using a putty knife. Then, place the plywood or shingle onto the tar. Spread the tar around the edges of the patch.
2. Map the location of the leak – Your work isn’t done just yet. Before you leave your attic, map out where the leak is located using a measuring tape. This will help you find it when the rain stops. Then, once it has stopped, we suggest putting on some rubber-soled shoes and using the same measurement to find the leak on the outside of your roof. Use more roofing tar to complete the temporary patch.

Since this is only a temporary patch, you’ll want to contact your local roofer for a permanent patch. If you’re dealing with multiple leaks, or if your roof is getting old, you might also want to think about replacement. Roofing replacement should be completed about every 15-25 years for asphalt shingles and every 40-60 years for metal roofing.

What If I Can’t Find The Leak?

If you still can’t find the source of the leak after all of your searchings, you’ll have to cover it with some plastic roof covering even if you don’t have an attic or access to it. Follow the steps below:

1. Get the roof plastic – If you don’t have any roof plastic laying around in your home, it’s time to head over to the local hardware store. You can buy the plastic roof covering in 4-foot rolls of polyethylene. We also recommend purchasing a few 8-foot 2x4s that will anchor your covering.
2. Cut the plastic – Unroll the plastic, so it runs from the top (ridge) to the edge (eave) of the roof. Cut it to length with a utility knife and use a 2×4 to make it as straight as possible.
3. Attach the covering to the 2x4s – Use a staple gun to attach the plastic covering to one of the 2x4s. Sandwich the plastic between a second 2×4 and nail the 2x4s together. Repeat this process on the other side of the covering to finish preparing it.
4. Put the covering on the roof – Safety should always come first, so if there’s lightning or you don’t have the right equipment for the job, you should call an emergency roof repair service. If you can get on the roof, wear rubber-soled shoes while you place one pair of 2x4s on the ridge and the other pair on the eave.

You Can Always Call a Professional

We hope this guide about how to fix a leaking roof from the inside has helped. Fortunately, if you’d prefer help from a professional, you can always contact an emergency roofing company. At Legacy Service, we offer roofing installation and replacement, and we’re here to help you get your home exterior back into shape. No matter what you need, you can turn to our team.

Remember that your roof is one of your most important investments. It keeps you and your family warm, safe, and dry by protecting you from the elements. To learn more about roof replacement, call us at 215-798-9790 or contact us at https://legacyusa.com/contact/.