How to Temporarily Fix a Leaking Roof From the Snow

Remove as much snow as possible from the roof, using a snow rake, a long-handled tool specifically designed for raking snow off of roofs. Focus on the lowest several feet of the roof and on top of or above ice dams. Removing the snow from the roof or the area around the leak may adequately address the leak.

Apply a deicing compound to the roof or, more specifically, the ice dam. Use a deicer that will not corrode or discolor the roofing material. Broadcast the deicer evenly to lighten the snow load unless there is an ice dam or drainage is otherwise blocked. To remedy an ice dam using chemical deicer, either place the compound in small piles above the dam with lines sprinkled from the pile to the roof edge or fill nylon stockings with deicer and lay these across the ice dam to cut drainage channels.

Dry out the interior of the building wherever moisture from the leak is present. Set up fans or provide adequate ventilation to prevent mold and rot.

Look at the room from the inside to check for holes or sagging. Once the snow and ice has largely melted from the area, inspect the roof from the outside to make sure there are no holes.

Cover any holes in the roof after the ice and snow have been adequately removed if the roof can be safely worked on. Secure tarps or thick plastic over holes by driving nails through strips of wood to hold the edges of the plastic in place. Take any precautions necessary to work safely on the roof.