October 11th, 2021 by Sarah Miles

How to quickly fix a leak before it causes a bigger issue

Garages are subjected to all weather conditions plus other environmental factors so springing a leak, often in the winter when it’s cold and wet, is often to be expected. Knowing it can happen and being prepared for it don’t necessarily go hand in hand but there are several reasons why being able to deal with it in an efficient and timely manner is a really good idea:

• It prevents the causes of the leak from getting worse, making them more difficult and more expensive to repair
• It prevents damp, mould, mildew, and bacteria from forming due to prolonged exposure to water inside the garage
• It protects your belongings that are stored in there
• It prevents a potentially dangerous situation such as water from getting into electrics

If you spot a leak, you may not be able to get a tradesperson in immediately and you may not even have to as it could be something you can easily remedy yourself. All you need is the right product and a bit of know-how, as well as being able to respond quickly due to all the reasons outlined above.

Here’s how to quickly fix a leak in your garage.

What you’ll need

There are a few things you may need to repair the leak. We’d really recommend having all these items ready so that you can jump into action as soon as you spot an issue. Some are general household items, and some are more specific to this type of job, but all are inexpensive enough to keep in stock ready:

• Ladder or steps (for high areas, such as roofs)
• Emergency repair bitumen spray
• General cleaning materials (cleaning products, rags and cloths, and so on)
• Mesh or gauze (for larger gaps or holes)

Before you start

Firstly, before you even start doing the repair, move any belongings out of the way of the water coming in to protect them. If you are concerned that water may be encroaching on electrics, turn the power off at the isolation switch and dry the area as thoroughly as you can. (If you are concerned water may have got into the electrics, it may be prudent to get an electrician in to test it before turning it back on).

Making the repair

The area you are working on should be clean and dry so give them a once over with general cleaning materials and allow them to dry. Ideally, you should conduct your repair in dry conditions but if there is persistent rain that is not abating and causing water to come in, you may have to proceed regardless. If this is the case, protect the area on the outside with some plastic sheeting and dry the surface inside as much as possible.

For gaps and cracks, simply shake the can of bitumen spray well and spray onto the area you want to seal up. If the gap is larger, place some mesh or gauze over it first and then spray. This fills the empty space and provides a surface for the spray to adhere to.

Leave it to cure for 30-60 minutes. This is all it takes to form a watertight seal. If you feel it needs it, you can add more coats (allowing it to dry between each one) to build the layers up. The spray dries black, but you can, if you want to, paint over it once it’s dry.

How long will the repair last?

It depends on the size and nature of the crack or gap, but you may well find this gives you a permanent solution as the bitumen itself is extremely strong, durable, and weatherproof (it won’t crack in extreme temperatures due to the way it expands and contracts). It could even be stronger than the materials around it!

If the issue is more substantial, this quick repair will at least buy you some time and prevent water from coming in while you find a more permanent solution. This is when you can get the cordless drill out and start patching up the roof with plywood or something more durable.