There are few things as discouraging as the sinking feeling of spotting a water stain on your ceiling, or worse, hearing a leak begin to drip in the middle of a rainstorm. First of all: take a deep breath. You’ve got this! And ARS Roofing is right here to guide you through what to do next.
If you’re a homeowner in Marin County dealing with a surprise leak, don’t worry. We’ve helped plenty of folks like you with roof maintenance Marin County, and we’re here to share some quick and easy steps to keep things under control until we can get to you.
Step 1: Find the Leak (Without Taking Any Risks)
Before you do anything, remember: safety first! Please don’t grab a ladder in a rainstorm or go scrambling up to the roof. Start inside your house and look for:
- Wet spots on ceilings or walls
- Bubbling paint or sagging drywall
- Dripping sounds
- Wet insulation or rafters if you can safely peek into the attic
Pro tip: The actual hole in the roof isn’t always directly above the wet spot inside. Water travels in sneaky ways along beams and insulation.
Step 2: Catch the Water
Got drips? No problem. Grab a bucket, pot, or pan, whatever you’ve got, and place it under the leak. Here’s a handy little trick:
- Put a towel or old T-shirt in the bottom of the container to soften the dripping sound (especially if you’re trying to sleep, trust us on this one).
- If the leak’s spreading, set up multiple containers or put down towels or plastic sheets.
Notice a bubble forming in your ceiling? Poke a small hole in it with a screwdriver. It sounds weird, but it’ll release the water in a controlled way instead of letting it crash down all at once.
Step 3: Save Your Stuff
Anything that can get ruined by water, furniture, electronics, rugs, needs to move away from the leak, pronto.
If you can’t move something heavy (like your favorite comfy couch), throw a plastic sheet, tarp, or even some hefty trash bags over it. Tape it down if you have to. It’s all about damage control until help arrives.
Step 4: Throw Up a Temporary Cover (If You Can)
If the rain lets up and you’re able to safely access the roof (again, only if it’s safe), you can throw a quick tarp over the leak. Here’s how:
- Stretch a heavy-duty tarp over the damaged area, letting it extend past the problem spot.
- Weigh down the edges with 2×4 boards or anything heavy you can find.
- Make sure the water flows over the tarp, not under it.
Got some roofing tape or patch kits at home? You can also slap those over small holes to slow the leak down. It’s not pretty, but it’ll hold until the pros (that’s us!) can get there.
Step 5: Document Everything
It’s not the most exciting part, but it’s important. Snap some pictures of the damage, inside and out. That way:
- You’ll have proof for insurance claims.
- It’ll help your roofer (hi there 👋) understand the situation faster.
Keep track of any emergency purchases you make, too, like buckets, tarps, or duct tape.
Step 6: Dry Things Out
Once you’ve contained the leak, try to dry things up as much as you can:
- Turn on fans
- Run a dehumidifier if you have one
- Open windows if it’s safe (and not raining)
Quick action can help you avoid bigger headaches like mold.
Step 7: Call in the Experts
Don’t wait! Even a small leak can lead to major (and expensive) problems if you leave it alone too long.
If you need roof maintenance in Marin County, ARS Roofing is the team to call. We’re a local, family-style company you can trust, available 24/7 for emergencies because leaks don’t exactly keep office hours.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Play Superhero
We love a good DIY spirit, but roofing is one place where it’s smart to call in the pros. Slippery roofs, hidden damage, and unstable surfaces can turn dangerous fast. Your safety is way more important than a temporary patch.
Let us do the heavy lifting (and climbing). You stay safe and dry.
We’ve Got This! ARS Roofing & Gutters
At ARS Roofing, we believe in compassion, quality work, and treating your home like it’s our own. That’s why we’re proud to be the go-to team for roof maintenance in Marin County!
Found a leak? Call us today at 415-459-7200 or contact us online! We’re ready to help you through every storm, literally and figuratively.