When water is coming through the ceiling, you want it stopped now. In most cases it can be, at least for the moment. What a roofer can do in the rain is a make-safe. The proper repair comes once the weather clears. Knowing the difference helps you understand what to expect from an emergency call-out, and why a second visit is normal.
What is a make-safe?
A make-safe is temporary work that stops water getting into the building and makes the roof safe until it can be repaired. It might be a tarp secured over damaged tiles, a temporary cover over a broken skylight, refitting a slipped sheet, clearing a blocked box gutter outlet, or a temporary seal over a split. It is designed to hold through the weather, not to last for years.
Why can't the permanent repair be done in the rain?
- Safety. Wet tiles, slate and metal are slippery, and wind and lightning make it worse. We do not put people on a roof in conditions where they are likely to fall.
- Materials need dry surfaces. Sealants, mortars and pointing compounds do not bond properly to wet surfaces, so a repair done in the rain often fails.
- Finding the cause. A permanent fix depends on tracing exactly where water gets in, which is easier to confirm once the roof is dry and can be inspected properly.
- Hidden damage. Lifting tiles or sheets to check the battens and sarking underneath exposes the roof, which is the last thing you want during a downpour.
In the rain the job is to stop the water. In the dry the job is to fix the cause. Expect two visits for a serious leak, and be wary of anyone who promises a permanent fix in a storm.
What happens on an emergency visit?
We start inside, looking at where the water is showing and checking the roof space if it is safe to get into. That tells us roughly where to look on the roof. If conditions allow us onto the roof safely, we find the entry point and make it safe. If they do not, we do what can be done from inside and from the ground, and come back as soon as it is safe. We take photos as we go, which you will want for any insurance claim, and we explain what we found and what the permanent repair is likely to involve.
What should I do inside while I wait?
- Contain the water with buckets, towels and plastic sheeting, and move furniture and electronics out of the way.
- If water is near light fittings, power points or a ceiling fan, turn off the power to that circuit at the switchboard.
- If the ceiling is bulging, keep everyone out from under it. Do not poke it unless you know what you are doing and have power off.
- Do not go onto the roof yourself, especially in wind, rain or lightning.
- Take photos and videos of the water and any damage, with the time.
- If the damage is from a storm and it is a serious emergency, the NSW SES can be reached on 132 500.
How long does a make-safe last?
Will my insurer cover the make-safe?
Many home insurance policies expect you to take reasonable steps to stop further damage after a storm, and a make-safe is usually part of that. Whether the cost is covered depends on your policy and the cause of the damage, so check with your insurer. Either way, keep the invoice and the photos from the make-safe visit. They help show what was damaged and what was done to protect the home.
Long enough to get through the weather and get a permanent repair booked, but not indefinitely. Tarps degrade in the sun and can be shifted by wind. Temporary seals are temporary. The longer a make-safe stays in place, the more chance there is of more water getting in, so book the permanent repair as soon as the roof is dry.
Is the permanent repair quoted separately?
Usually, yes. Once we can see the full extent of the damage, we quote the permanent repair in writing with photos. That is also the document your insurer will usually want to see if you are claiming. Our emergency and storm damage service covers the make-safe, and roof leak repairs covers the permanent fix. We cover the whole of central Sydney, from the CBD out to the eastern beaches and the lower north shore.
