Question: Robert, we’ve had a significant roof leak these last two weeks, but the roofing company we used for tarping says that there is nothing they can do during the heavy rains other than what they’ve already done, and that’s to tarp the roof.
Of course, this doesn’t make the roof completely leak-proof, so there is still leaking and they want us to just leave the tarps and deal with it until there is a good, long break in the weather.
We are due for a new roof so that is what we are facing but, in the meantime, are they correct? Isn’t there something we can do while we are getting all this rain? We are miserable with the leaking.
— George G.
Answer: George, the roofers are doing exactly what we do: Mitigate as much of the leaking as possible, when possible, to safely tarp, and then as I tell my customers, “Ride it out.”
Please be sure that the tarps are wired together, and that they are sandbagged, so that any heavy winds will not be able to move them.
It is never pleasant to be in this situation and in fact, I’m in the same boat as you are right now. I’ve gotten 33 years out of my roof, and it finally quit on me this year. I have tarps on my home, also. There is no safe way to be on a roof in the rains (we do it when we can, minimally), and closing a roof with water in between layers is simply inviting trouble.
When we think about this, it’s only water and it will all dry out. It is never convenient and it can be quite the mess inside, but if you and your family are safe, this too shall pass. Ride it out, swap out buckets and towels as needed, and as soon as there is a good break, you’ll be in line for repairs/replacement.
Hang in there. Best of luck.
Robert Lamoureux has more than 40 years of experience as a general contractor, with separate licenses in electrical and plumbing contracting. He owns IMS Construction Inc. in Valencia. His opinions are his own, not necessarily those of The Signal. Opinions expressed in this column are not meant to replace the recommendations of a qualified contractor after that contractor has made a thorough visual inspection. Email questions to Robert at [email protected].
