How to Emergency Repair a Leaking Asphalt Shingle Roof

January 19, 2022

You already know that the roof is pretty much the most important part of your home. And if you are here, your roof probably leaks. When you notice your roof leaking, there is no time to lose. 

Getting an expert to repair your roof can be expensive, and your expert of choice may not be available right away. Don’t leave your home and family to the mercy of the Virginia elements in any season. Bad weather, especially in winter, can reveal problems with your roof, though you can mitigate damage by preparing your roof for winter.

 With the help of the strategies on this list, you can take matters into your own hands and emergency repair a leaking asphalt shingle roof. 

1. Waterproof Tarp

The waterproof tarp is the ultimate quick solution to a leaking roof. This method will temporarily protect your home until the experts can arrive. 

Measure the size of the leaking area or hole to ensure you purchase the correct tarp size. The tarp will need to be a bit larger than the area it needs to cover. 

Smooth your tarp out over the damaged area and nail it in place. Cover the head of each nail with roofing cement and call Roof Maxx as soon as you are done. 

2. Plugs

Getting on your roof during inclement weather like rain or snow can be dangerous, so if you have a small leak, you might be able to use plugs to remedy the situation. 

After you identify the source of the leak inside your home, use plug repair patches to stop the moisture in its tracks. While this will certainly slow the effects of the leak, once you have a leak, it is bound to get bigger. 

Once the immediate problem is dealt with thanks to plugs, prepare to deal with the leak more permanently. 

3. Plastic Sheets

Cousins to the classic tarp method, plastic sheets are a reliable way to temporarily fix holes in your roof. Purchase sturdy plastic sheets, nail them to your roof, then seal the deal by weighting the edges down with bricks or rocks. 

4. Substitute Shingles

If your asphalt shingle roof is missing a few shingles, you may have a leaking roof. It can be helpful to keep a few extra shingles in your garage, but if you don’t have any, all is not lost. 

By cutting sheet metal into a shingle shape and attaching it to your roof using the traditional method, then covering the nails with roofing cement, you can stop leaks in their tracks. 

Your substitute shingles will not last forever, but they will buy you some time before your roofer can arrive. 

Call an Expert to Fix Your Leaky Roof in Fredericksburg, Virginia

Almost all roof damage will get worse with time. What is a small leak today will become a huge problem in the future if not properly taken care of. If your shingles are beginning to age, becoming more prone to leaks, let the experts at Roof Maxx help you. 

If you have an aging or damaged roof, contact us today for a quote.