Hidden Roof Leak
Can’t figure it out and everyone seems to have a different opinion or approach. Water is seeping in on the top floor in drips from an area close to one of two skylights that are adjacent. There had been very minor drips beginning in April ’09 and some patchwork was done. The real leaking didn’t…
Can’t figure it out and everyone seems to have a different opinion or approach. Water is seeping in on the top floor in drips from an area close to one of two skylights that are adjacent. There had been very minor drips beginning in April ’09 and some patchwork was done. The real leaking didn’t start until June ’09 (the record rainfall month).Problem is: when you walk around the roof you may see tiny cracks in the flashing, but nothing major that would indicate a problem. I pulled in one contractor that confessed to not knowing where the leak was coming from, but guessed at the small skylight due to the location of damage below. He suggested that I cover the skylights with tarp to isolate that area during the next rainfall, because replacing the skylight would be a $1600 job and he would prefer that I be sure. Then I had another fellow, possibly less skilled, who indicated that the skylights were not the problem, but if I allowed him to “flash” the entire roof and the skylights for $500 that I would have no leaking. I think the second guy doesn’t replace skylight, so he offered to do what he knows how.I think the first guy made sense, but his estimate was in reference to the small skylight (which is half the size of the big one)and I actually think it might be the bigger skylight now. I’d love to hear any suggestions on how to resolve this or a trustworhy roofer that I can call and correct this before winter starts setting in.
I recommand United Contracting this company did my roof at 415 ocean pkwy 15 years ago and never had we had a problem, also did my private house in Ditmas Park 10 years ago and no problems. 718 258-1900 cell 917-749-1084
Hello,
My name is Dan and I am a licensed contractor and my specialty is roofs now if you want I can come and take a look at the problem I have been in this business for over 15 years give me a call so we can dicuss it further I can be reached at 718 919-7794.
Thank you,
Dan
Buy a couple cans of roof flashing and save yourself the $500 bucks the second guy wanted to charge you.
The hardest part about fixing leaks is finding them, but if you flash all the joints and seams, and use mesh roofing tape on the most obvious looking leak prone areas, you’ll probably solve the problem.
Or hire a day laborer to do it and stand over him the entire time, making sure he does a good job.
What kind of roof is it? If it’s a flat graded roof maybe you have the same problem we had: the skylights were not tall enough to fully project from the grade of the roof, so when rainwater ran down the grade, it came up a little bit and actually snuck through the glazing around the edge of the skylight’s panes. We solved it by making little ‘ramps’ out of pvc pipe covered with roofing tar, which directed the water away from the skylights on its way down the grade. Not a problem since, and it’s been a WET summer!
I had this problem for years….the water was actually coming in through the soffets (sp?) of the skylight.
Covering it with a heavyweight plastic tarp worked for a long time, but it’s not a good longterm solution.
Finally replaced the skylight and all is now well.
Do try the plastic tarp experiment…make sure you fasten it down good, and check from time to time to make sure it hasn’t torn or blown away.
Good luck
Bear in mind that water flows so the 2nd guy could be right – leaks are frequently quite a way removed from their sources.
I think you need a ROOFER, not a contractor. Why deal with a generalist who’s going to farm the work out to someone else AND charge you extra in the process?
FWIW, I’ve been using Tribecca for a number of years and recommend them highly;718.439.6333. They’ve tracked down and fixed a couple of mysterious leaks in my house.
yubegood, it’s not as hard as you think. It will take some time, and some testing.
Engineers do it the same way. They water test. Actually, contractor #1 has the right idea, in reverse. If you tarp off the skylite when it rains, and you have no leaks, bingo. Alternately, you can tarp it off and simulate rain with a garden hose. Or you can not tarp it off and use a hose when it is dry.
If it’s not the skylite, you continue with the hose, section by section, until you find the leak. But do a small section at a time, as it may take the water some time to penetrate. And do everything you can to observe the water coming thru, if you have sheetrock, remove some so you can see wassup.
leaking roofs are depressing. and finding source of leak almost impossible. trial and error. cover the skylight with tarp is worth try. then the flashing.
I won’t bore you with how a new roof we had leaked for 2 years and they came back and came back…..