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I've got a big roof. There's a small section that is flat. Over the summer I retarred it. We've had some high winds and rain over the last few days. The roof is leaking into the room below it. There's nothing I'm going to be able to do to fix it at this moment due to freezing temperatures, high winds, and incoming snow. Not to mention the roof is wet anyways so there's not much I'd be able to do to it to seal it. I'm thinking for the time that I need to throw a tarp over it and throw some stones on top of the tarp. Horrible time of year for this to be happening. I'm most likely not going to be able to get up onto the roof to permanently fix it until spring. So here's my question. How would you guys go about doing so to prevent further damage? Trying to file a claim through insurance most likely is not most intelligent way to go. Because as soon as you mention water damage most insurance companies will drop you. The area of the flat part of the roof is maybe 12 by 12. The leaky part is only about a 2X 2 foot section.

I've got a big roof. There's a small section that is flat. Over the summer I retarred it. We've had some high winds and rain over the last few days. The roof is leaking into the room below it. There's nothing I'm going to be able to do to fix it at this moment due to freezing temperatures, high winds, and incoming snow. Not to mention the roof is wet anyways so there's not much I'd be able to do to it to seal it. I'm thinking for the time that I need to throw a tarp over it and throw some stones on top of the tarp. Horrible time of year for this to be happening. I'm most likely not going to be able to get up onto the roof to permanently fix it until spring. So here's my question. How would you guys go about doing so to prevent further damage? Trying to file a claim through insurance most likely is not most intelligent way to go. Because as soon as you mention water damage most insurance companies will drop you. The area of the flat part of the roof is maybe 12 by 12. The leaky part is only about a 2X 2 foot section.
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[–] • 2 pts

I had what seems to be almost the same issue. House from 1960s, add on built on in the back of the house, extending from the back of the fireplace in a large 15x15' enclosed porch. Where the add-on roof butted up against the fireplace they did no flashing at all. None. They had the local road crew tar the ever lasting shit out of it instead, which after several decades in south Texas heat, turned it all into sparkling obsidian. I got a roofer out and for the low price of 8,000 I got all new decking, sealant layer, roll out covering, and proper flashing for the fireplace area (we designed and built a cricket).

To answer your question though, I would get more tar - thats what I did - tar and tar tape/paper like shit and just get it to where it won't leak for now. It will look ugly but you want to save your walls.

[–] • 3 pts

> I had what seems to be almost the same issue. House from 1960s, add on built on in the back of the house, extending from the back of the fireplace in a large 15x15' enclosed porch.

Yeah this house is from the '60s, and it looks like it was an addition. All my roof is sloped except that one small room. I'll get some tar and tar the heck out of that corner until the spring when I can rip that up I guess. Thank you for the tips.

[–] • 3 pts

Correct. He needs a seasonal patch so it an be fixed next year, not leak in the meantime, and not cause several thousand more in damage. OP, get a gallon of Henry's (it works when the roof deck is wet) and a trowel. And some rubber gloves.

[–] • 0 pt

henry's has a lot of good product