| An emergency is a situation which calls for drastic | | | | of the water seeping in. This water will damage |
| measures. A roof which has suffered damage due | | | | the internal structure and can be a source for |
| to heavy rains, tornado like situations, hail, storms | | | | further damage to the roof, if not checked at the |
| etc classify sometime for this kind of a repair. | | | | earliest. |
| The roof is perhaps the most important part of a | | | | · Remove any puddles of water or |
| house, besides the people living in the house. A | | | | stagnant water formation from the roof. This can |
| damaged roof will directly affect the stability of | | | | be a major cause of roof damage. |
| the entire structure of the house and is a cause | | | | · Locate the exact source of the leak. |
| for prompt action. | | | | Sometimes, the leak is actually at another ocation |
| An extreme weather condition is more often the | | | | from where the internal inspection indicates. |
| cause for emergency repair of a roof. Care has | | | | · Use appropriate materials to plug the |
| to be taken for deciding upon the time and place | | | | leak based on the type of the roof and material |
| to start the repair. If help is available, we should | | | | used to construct it. |
| make use of it. In conditions where emergency | | | | Material used for doing emergency roof repairs |
| repair is warranted, it is best to make use of an | | | | include patches, rubber sheets, sealants, tarps and |
| experienced roofer rather than try a | | | | duct tape. They act as stopgap arrangements on |
| do-it-by-yourself stunt. It is advisable to wait till | | | | which a more permanent repair can be |
| the extreme weather conditions have passed and | | | | undertaken at a later time and date by an |
| the situation is conducive to initiate the repair | | | | experienced roofer. Certain steps which are |
| rather than starting straight away. You may be | | | | common while using any of these emergency |
| doing more damage than repair! You can be | | | | methods for roof repair are as follows: |
| swept away by the winds or stuck by lightning. | | | | · Clean the area around the leak and then |
| The inspection of the roof is another critical | | | | apply the patch. The debris, water and dirt around |
| activity prior to initiating the repair. It must be | | | | the leak will un-stick the emergency patch and |
| done under favorable conditions of weather and | | | | reduce its effectiveness. |
| light. | | | | · In case of roofs that require hammer |
| However, not all emergency repairs are critical | | | | or nail work, make sure that the tools are secure |
| and non-professionals might also do some. These | | | | to the person attempting the repair. They can |
| are the temporary repairs undertaken by the | | | | slide off and cause further damage. |
| owner and which can be made permanent by the | | | | Care has to be taken so that any is on |
| more competent roofer. The roofing guidelines, | | | | unattached part of the roof like a shingle, asphalt |
| which should be adhered to by the person | | | | or a strip of iron/wood is not lying around loosely |
| attempting an emergency repair, are as follows: | | | | while the repair. The windy condition can cause it |
| · First and foremost control the spread | | | | to strike the repair person. |