How to temporarily waterproof a damaged roof until replacement
Finding short-term waterproofing methods prevents interior mold growth and further water damage while waiting months for a full roof replacement. Improvised fixes like adding new concrete layers often fail to stop leaks completely, making reliable temporary patches essential without risking worse damage.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Applying roofing cement to the leak source
- 2Installing ice and water shield as a sticky asphalt tarp
- 3Using a heavy-duty tarp
- 4Painting tar over the tiles
- 5Putting a new load of concrete with tiles on top
- 6Using specialized penetrating paint to seal the cracks
- 7Applying a mixture of hydrated lime, tile glue, and oil
- 8Using asphalt rolls across the roof
- 9Using caulk
- 10Using blue tarps
- 11Extending the tarp up and lipping over the ridge
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Tree branch fell on the roof leaving a small hole about the size of a softball. The tarp is only temporary till I get someone out here to repair it.”source ↗
“I'm trying to figure out the best options to start fixing a concrete roof that has been having leaks for almost 3 years and the mold is starting to take place inside of the house.”source ↗
“We tried fixing it putting a new load of concrete on it but it didn't completely fix the problem.”source ↗
“I would like to ask for advice about what kind of step take since I really dont want to mess it up again”source ↗
“I intend to get the roof replaced early next year. Can anyone recommend a way to keep it watertight until then?”source ↗
“I did this. But then we had a rain storm and the rain just collects where the hole was and then you're in some sort of pickle.”source ↗