What we install in the meantime
When a roof leak cannot be fixed for good on the same day, we choose among these methods. All of them are installed at height, by a roofer only.
- A tarp. After a fallen branch or a gust of wind, it covers the damaged area. We anchor it firmly, so another gust does not carry it off.
- A sealing product. Sealant or roofing cement, spread over a crack, a seam that has opened or the area around a vent, closes the path for a while.
- A piece of roof covering. On a flat roof membrane, a patch is welded or glued over the defect. On a sloped roof, a sheet of metal or a shingle is slid under the neighbouring courses.
Three reasons to postpone the real work
- Rain or snow: durable work requires a dry surface.
- Cold: some materials stick poorly when the temperature is too low.
- The insurer: it may want to see the damage before any permanent repair.
The time gained
The inside is protected, and you regain control of the schedule. Wet materials have time to dry. You can reach your insurer, request more than one quote and choose a contractor with a clear head, rather than with a bucket filling up. The durable work can also wait for a better season.
What remains to be done
The cause has not moved. A crooked flashing, a membrane at the end of its life, rotten wood under the covering: all of it is still waiting.
The temporary fix wears out fast. Frost and sun make sealant harden and then crack. Wind wears out the tarp. A patch glued in a hurry on a damp surface often ends up lifting.
How long a temporary repair lasts depends on the method chosen, its exposure to wind and the season. No one can give a figure that holds everywhere. Ask us two questions: how long the installation should hold, and when it should be checked again.
The paper trail
A temporary repair is billed like any other work. Ask for a document that states:
- What was installed, and at what exact spot on the roof.
- Photos of the area, taken before and after.
- The words "temporary measure", written out in full.
- The presumed cause of the leak, when the roofer has found it.
- The permanent repair the roofer recommends, and by when.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put something up myself while waiting for the roofer?
You can act inside only: a bin under the drip, a plastic sheet over the furniture. Do not put anything on the roof. A wet or icy surface is dangerous, and sealant put in the wrong place makes the source harder to find later.
Is sealant on the roof a lasting repair?
Sealant on the roof is not a lasting repair. The product closes a hole, it does not fix what opened it. Over time the sealant cracks, and water gets through again, often at the same spot.
The tarp or the patch gave way. What should I do?
Protect the room in the house again, with a bin and a plastic sheet, then write to us through the form. Tell us what was happening outside at that moment, a thaw or strong gusts for example. Also take it as a signal: the permanent work can no longer wait.