September 23rd, 2021 by Sarah Miles

A leaking roof may be something that you associate with older properties that have perhaps fallen into disrepair, but this isn’t always the case. Accidental damage from objects hitting the roof (such as items like tree branches blown around in high winds), damage from birds or even bats, poor construction, tiles being blown off, flashing around chimneys and pipes failing, or just tiny gaps or cracks appearing over time can all allow water to get into your home. Even if this is just small amounts, it can cause water damage and allow dampness to set in over time. If you suspect you may have a leak somewhere, it needs dealing with.

Many roof issues will need to be dealt with by a roofer or builder, however, if they can’t come immediately or the issue is fairly minor, there are things you can do to put an immediate stop to the water getting in. This may resolve the issue for a while, or it will at least give you some breathing space to get a professional in without the issue getting any worse.

Here are a few of the most common reasons for a leak and what you can do about them.

The issue: Sizeable hole in the roof

Recognising it:

This should be fairly easy to identify as it will be letting in large amounts of water when it rains, and you will be able to see the damage from the ground. It could have been caused by an object hitting the roof in strong winds or tiles getting blown off.

What you can do:

The quickest and easiest fix is to simply cover with a tarpaulin. This gives the roof an instant barrier against inclement weather. If it’s a pitched roof, drape the tarp over the apex of the roof if you can so that water flows over the top rather than finding its way underneath the tarp. Secure with roof nails. Of course, this is a temporary fix and will need to be addressed professionally when you can.

If the hole was caused by missing or damaged roof tiles, you could replace them with new ones or even create a temporary one from sheet metal. Prise any broken ones off and nail new ones (or makeshift ones) in place.

The issue: Failed flashing

Recognising it:

Water coming in from the area around the chimney or pipework. There could be visible damage to the flashing that you can see from the ground or discolouration around the chimney area.

What you can do:

Flashing is often the most vulnerable area of the roof as it will generally deteriorate at a faster rate than the other roofing materials. Flashing can easily be bought at most DIY stores so you can have a go at replacing it. Secure with roof cement. Do this well and you may find this sorts the issue out without needing a roofer.

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The issue: Small leaks from minor cracks or gaps

Recognising it:

These won’t necessarily be visible from the ground and the amount of water coming in may be small but often could have been happening for a while unnoticed so you may observe some mould starting to develop or a damp smell. If you can get up on top of the roof, you may be able to better spot gaps and cracks.

What you can do:

These can be resolved with some kind of sealant to plug the gap up and make it watertight again. You could use silicone or a bitumen roof spray that is designed for this type of fix. For slightly larger gaps, place some gauze over the area and spray onto it. The really good thing about the bitumen spray is it’s quick to apply (so you don’t have to spend too much time on the roof) and cures quickly as well, which can be useful if more bad weather is on the way.

Get a second opinion

With all these fixes, it’s a good idea to seek the advice of a professional. Most will come to take a look for free and will be able to advise you whether further work is required.