Can it really be easy to fix your own roof? Believe it or not, there are many psychological barriers to this DIY home repair project. Mainly, the problem is a fear of heights. This is a great inhibition to have and it probably helps you in almost every situation — including this one. However, what if you do not have any money or are in a natural disaster? When you need to figure out a way to keep the rain from coming in, there is hope.
Always Be Safer Than Sorry
First of all, I am not a professional roofer. I am simply a person who has lived in many rainy climates around the world. I have been repairing roofs since I was a teenager and have learned a few things along the way. The first thing I learned was about safety. For example, there are some roofs that I simply would not climb because they were too steep or overly damaged. For this reason, use your best judgment.
If you think you are going to fall off the roof or crash through it, then you should call the professionals to test out the situation. For these reasons, I have found it is better to have two helpers that are not on the roof in order to maintain ultimate safety standards.
Tip: You should also keep in mind that sometimes a roof is wet even when it looks dry. It is also a good idea to test poke the roof with a stick before stepping on it.
Short Term Roof Fixes
Although replacing shingles and putting tar on a roof are ways to fix it long term, there are many short-term solutions. All of these supplies are commonly found at large hardware stores like Lowe’s. Depending on the size of the hole, you will spend at least $20.00. You may also need to rent a ladder.
Your first trip on to the roof is simply to assess it. If you have a hole that is less than 5 foot by 5 foot; you are in luck. Anything larger than that is an issue that you will want professionals to deal with. Also, if you have damages from a storm, do not worry about having financial problems.
Instead, you will need to call your homeowner’s insurance immediately to make sure there are also no structural damages to your home. The longer you wait around with structural damages, the worse the situation can be.
Tip: If you are dealing with a natural disaster and the roof repair people are booked for months on end; do not worry. In my experience, having your own quick fix roof supplies ready will help you get someone to show up.
The Thinnest of Plywood
In addition to your ladder, you will need a thin sheet of plywood. Basically,it needs to be large enough to cover the entire hole with at least one foot on each side. Although many people want to get a tarp, it is usually much easier to manage a piece of plywood because you can nail it down.
If you buy a thin enough piece of plywood, you may be able to stick it under some of the current roofing shingles or tiles. Naturally, this will add extra mileage to your professional roofing procrastination. For those still concerned about a tarp, get some thin plastic sheeting and wrap it around the plywood several times to insulate it.
Go Ahead and Let It Spray
Although it is not the best long-term solution, I have had many successes with various kinds of roof fixing spray foams. The kind you want mixes with moisture in the leaky roof and forms an airtight bond. After you fill in the leaky part of the roof, you can cover it with plywood. Staple the plywood into place and you are finished!
Tip: Keep in mind that this spray foam can make a mess in the room below the roof.
Why No Tarp?
I am a firm advocate of doing things that will actually work. Most people have a hard time with tarps because of the wind. In addition, it is difficult to tack down a tarp without ripping it up and using bricks to hold it down does not work for very long. If you are convinced that you need a tarp, use extreme caution and hire a professional to do it for you.
After a natural disaster, you can have a large group of people help you to put a tarp over the entire roof and anchor them to the ground with ropes. Otherwise, with a little bit of luck and less than $30, you should be on your way to putting off paying for a roofer for at least a few more months.