Can a Leaking Ceiling Collapse?

Spoiler alert: Yes! Yes, a leaking ceiling can collapse, and no, you don’t want to be there when it happens. Instead, you never want it to happen in the first place, but if you’re reading this post, take heed. 

If water finds its way into your Austin home, it has to go somewhere. Naturally, gravity will pull it down, but if it doesn’t have an escape route to drain away, it will pool up and get bigger and bigger. The larger the pool of water, the heavier it will be, and eventually that weight will be too much for your ceiling to bear. 

Signs Your Ceiling is Susceptible to Collapse

Like any structure, ceilings are susceptible to damage, and when they are weakened either slowly over time or due to a significant one-time event, their integrity is put at risk. 

For your safety, it’s essential to stay on top of property maintenance and take action at the first sign of any water damage or roof leaks. Here are some signs to look for when it comes to water damage:

• Bubbling, cracking, or peeling on your ceiling paint
• Visibly leaking water
• Discoloration and mold on your ceiling or walls
• Sagging of your ceiling
• Exterior roof damage, cracking, bends, or ripples in your shingles or roof supports

How to Prevent Water Damage and Ceiling Collapse

No matter the age of your home, maintaining your roof and property is an essential part of home ownership. Prioritize annual inspections (or more frequently if a major storm rolls through Austin) so you can nip any issues in the bud. After all, you’ll never know you have a missing shingle if a professional roofer doesn’t climb up to see.

Other preventive actions to avoid water damage are ensuring that your gutters remain clean and that your downspouts are effectively draining water out and away from your home. If they are clogged, the water could run back into your home. 

How Do You Temporarily Stop a Roof Leak?

Puddles are all good and fun—when they are outside. A leaking roof causing puddles to form inside your home? Not so much.

If you encounter a roof leak, you need to take immediate action to quell the damage. Sometimes, a roofer cannot come to your home immediately, and you may need to perform triage to stay afloat until they arrive. 

Here are a few temporary solutions to tide you until a professional arrives. It’s worth reminding yourself to always be careful when accessing your roof, especially during storms. Being that high off the ground comes with risks, especially on steeply graded roofs. Get help if needed, even if it’s just to apply a temporary fix.

• Cover the roof leak with a waterproof tarp or plastic sheets: The classic waterproof tarp is a multi-purpose wonder, and it performs reliably well at staving off roof leaks, provided it’s used correctly. 

When using a tarp to cover a leak, make sure it spans the entire leak area and is completely flat against your roof. Water is sneaky, and if there are any gaps, it will find its way through. You can nail down the edges of the plastic sheets or tarp, use duct tape to secure it, and weigh it down with heavy rocks or bricks if needed. Don’t be afraid to use extra layers.

• Patch, plug, or seal the leak: Numerous roofing products are on the market that can temporarily stop a leak, but the key is that they are temporary. Products from your hardware store, such as roofing cement, roofing tape, or a rubber sealant, can help stop or slow a leak. Just be sure to read the product instructions. Some may only work in dry conditions; others can be applied in wet or dry conditions. 

• Reattach loose shingles or use tar paper to cover the leak: If shingles have come loose, reattach them or use a substitute to cover the area. Tar paper and roofing cement can also cover a damaged area and protect your home. 

A roofing emergency requires swift action. As soon as you can safely take steps to prevent further water damage while you wait for a professional, do so. 

How Do You Seal a Leaking Roof?

If you find yourself in an emergency and need to take action to seal your leaking roof, you have some options to at least temporarily repair the damage until you can have a professional inspect the roof. Here are a few things you can do.

Step 1: Search for the Leak

The first step is to identify the leak. Sometimes it’s obvious. Many times, however, it is not. If you discover evidence of a leak—either in the form of a full-out drip or another tell-tale sign such as a discolored ceiling – it’s time to search for the source. 

One of the first places you can check is the attic. You know where to narrow down your search if you see water stains or mold.

Now it’s time to go outside. Evaluate your roof and pay particular attention to any missing shingles or those that are curled or cracked. The caulking or flashing may also be damaged. The most vulnerable locations for roof leaks are frequently found near projections or penetrations such as vents, dormers, or anything else that projects through the roof. 

If the leak is particularly difficult to detect, you can try soaking the probable area with a garden hose while a second person is inside the house or attic, waiting for the drip to appear.

Step 2: Seal the Leak

Once you find the leak, sealing it may be relatively easy, depending on the extent of the damage and its location. If it’s an issue with the shingles, replace or secure them as needed by applying an asphalt roofing cement. If the metal flashing around any of the roof penetrations is damaged, you will need to reseal the joints with a roofing cement.

Applying roofing cement to smaller leaks should work fairly well, at least temporarily. 

What are the Best Sealants for Roof Leaks?

Roof replacements are expensive and not always necessary when there is damage to a roof. Many times, you can effectively repair and prolong the life of your roof by sealing small and isolated leaks. 

There are numerous products on the market, and the right roof sealant for your situation will depend on the size of the damage, the type of roofing materials you have, your comfort level with application, and other factors. 

Types of Roof Sealants

In general, there are five main types of roof sealants—acrylic, polyurethane, silicone, rubber, and sealant tape. Here in Texas, sealants that can withstand intense sun and heat are preferred. This includes most types of sealants except for polyurethane-based products. Polyurethane is highly effective when it comes to moisture, but is less so against the sun.

Here are some pros and cons of the other types of roof sealant:

• Acrylic roof sealants deflect UV rays but aren’t as effective against standing water. This can be a problem for flat roofs.
• Silicone sealants are highly resilient against UV and moisture, but also more expensive than other sealant options. 
• Liquid rubber sealants and sealant tapes are useful for smaller cracks and leaks, but not intended for repairing large sections of a roof. 

Regardless of the type you use, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s directions, which may require you to apply multiple coats. Properly using the product is important to ensuring the sealant’s longevity and, of course, that your roof stays protected. 

Which Roof Sealant Should You Buy

If you have questions about which roof sealant to buy for your specific situation, you can always call us at Storm Guard of SW Austin. At your hardware store, you’ll find the following (and more!) roof sealant products, all of which can be effective at sealing roof leaks. 

• Liquid Rubber Waterproof Sealant – A popular product because it works well for many different roof situations. It creates a protective membrane coating on metal, shingle, or rubber roofs and is UV resistant. It is water-based and can be applied with a brush, roller or sprayer.

• Gorilla Waterproof Patch & Seal Tape – As a sealant tape, it works well for patching vulnerable seams or leaks. It comes in a few different colors, so you can match it to your roof. 

• Flex Seal Spray Rubber Sealant Coating – This is a liquid rubber that comes in a spray can, which makes application fast and easy for novices. Its smaller size means it is not intended for larger leaks.

We recommend trying any of the above roof sealants to reduce the damage and prolong the life of your roof. 

As always, exercise caution when sealing a roof leak on your own, and don’t hesitate to call in a professional team of experts even for what may seem like a small leak. Here at Storm Guard of SW Austin, we are always here to help.

If you have any questions or concerns about your roof or ceiling, get in touch today.