The rain has just started falling, and you have turned on the heat, grabbed your comforter, and curled up on the couch to sip some coffee as you enjoy the weather, only to realize that your roof is leaking. The leak starts with annoying droplets of water hitting your ceiling, and then a wet patch begins to form on your drywall. Do you just call your roof plumbing expert and sit there as the water damages parts of your home's structure? Here are three emergency measures that you can take to handle the roof leak as you wait for professional assistance.
Collect the water
The immediate action that you can take when you notice that you have a roof leak is collecting the excess water. If the water is dripping to your ceiling, it can cause water damage to the insulation, paint and other fixtures. If it is leaking along the gutters, it can damage the home's structure and weaken the foundation. Take an empty bucket or any large container that you have at hand and place it below the leaking area. Place towels on the floor so that they can catch any splashing droplets.
Minimize the damage
When a roof is leaking, the water begins to pool and spread across the ceiling. The longer it takes to manage the leak, the greater the damage that may be caused by the water. For this reason, you should minimize the damage as you wait for your plumber or contractor. This may take a little destruction of the ceiling, but it will be worth it.
Identify the leaking part by looking for bubbles, wetness and ripples. Take a small pointed tool and poke a hole in that part of the ceiling so that the water can drip down instead of pooling on it. Place a bucket below the leak so that it can collect the water. Doing this will stop the water from spreading on the ceiling and reduce the effects of water damage on the structure.
Beware of electrical wiring
Water and electricity should never mix, and if they do, there is a risk of electrocution, sparks, electrical fires, and short circuits. The electrical wiring in most homes is usually installed in the crawl spaces, ceilings and walls. With a roof leak, it is easy for the water to come into contact with the electrical wires. Worse still, if the wiring is damaged or poorly insulated, the contact can cause havoc in the home. When there is a leak, you should consider switching off electricity at the mains to avoid a hazard. Only leave it on if you are entirely sure that there are no electrical wires near the leaking part.
Make sure that you call an experienced plumber to identify and repair the source of the leak.