Roof Leaking Right Now? Safe Temporary Fixes
A temporary fix buys time. It doesn’t fix the roof. Here’s how to limit the damage safely until a roofer can do a proper repair.
If water is pouring in, the roof is open, or a ceiling is sagging, call 1 (833) 435-4261. See emergency roof repair.
First: stay safe
- Don’t go on the roof in rain, snow, ice or wind, or at night. Most temporary fixes can be done from inside.
- Keep water away from electricity. If water is near light fixtures or outlets, switch off that circuit at the panel if you can do it safely.
- Watch the ceiling. A bulging ceiling can come down suddenly.
Inside the house: what you can do now
- Catch the water: buckets, towels, a tarp or shower curtain on the floor.
- Relieve a bulging ceiling. Put a bucket underneath and poke a small hole at the lowest point so the water drains in one controlled spot.
- Move valuables and furniture out of the way.
- Check the attic, if it’s safe to get into. You may be able to put a container under the drip, or lay plastic over wet insulation to steer water into a bucket.
- Mark the spot where water comes through the roof deck. It helps the roofer later.
Outside: tarps and patches
- Tarps: a properly secured tarp over the damaged area can keep water out for days or weeks. But installing one means being on the roof, so if it isn’t safe, have a roofer do it. The Insurance Bureau of Canada notes your policy requires you to act to limit further damage, and emergency tarping is often part of that.
- Roof patch products (roofing cement, patch tapes, liquid patches) can seal a small, visible hole or flashing gap on a dry, above-freezing day. They rarely hold up long-term, and they won’t fix an ice dam or wide wind damage.
- Ice dams: don’t hack at the ice. See ice dams.
Protect your insurance claim
From the Insurance Bureau of Canada:
- Photograph and video the damage inside and out before cleaning up.
- Keep receipts for tarps, buckets, drying equipment and emergency work.
- Report the claim promptly. Many insurers have 24-hour claims lines, and a proof of loss is typically due within 30 days.
Then get it properly fixed
Temporary fixes fail, often at the worst time. A roofer can find the actual source, which often isn’t directly above the stain, and repair it properly. Roof leak repair