| The roof leak saga. Well I have a 100+ year old house. Replaced the shingles about three years ago (give or take). Had some leaks I repaired using that stuff that comes in a quart can (can't remember name). Got it down to three persistent leaks that have vexed me for a couple months. I do the tar and water test and it seems to resolve it...till the next rain. Part of the problem is that there's so little attic space were the leaks are, I physically can't get to them to see exactly were the leak is. Any ideas other than another re-shingle job? |
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robbinPremium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX
kudos:1 | Pics of the roof would help greatly. What did you repair from the can and why? Pics? |
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 LazManPremium
join:2003-03-26
canada | reply to Ostracus
What's the roof shingled with; and what was wrong with the roofing job 3 years ago, that's causing it to leak now?
Was it a full strip and re-do? Ice/water shield? Low slope? Steep slope? Valleys or dormers? |
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 VioletVenomLets go GatorsPremium
join:2002-01-02
Gainesville, FL | To add to this list, any roof penetration such as vent stacks, chimney, vents. Make sure they are flashed correctly. |
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| reply to Ostracus
Rooftop leak |
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LazManPremium
join:2003-03-26
canada | reply to Ostracus
Don't take this the wrong way - but no wonder it leaks...
The roof should have been stripped, re-sheathed, and then re-shingled; with ice & water shield over the whole thing; assuming the slope is as low as the picture seems to indicate.
With the dips and waves, low slope, uneven capping, and all, well, you'll be fighting a losing battle trying to patch... I'd start budgeting for a 'new' new roof ASAP...
As for patching up what you've got - it's going to be cat and mouse games - there's hundreds of possible leaks there... Soak a small area with a hose, check for leaks below; then repeat. |
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| reply to Ostracus
Agree with Lazman.
What is this 4/10 or 6/10 pitch?
You need new shingles, underlayment, ice shield, drip edge and a professional roofing contractor.
Not directed towards you but fixing a leaky roof is not a handyman's job - at least in my books. Good luck |
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 cdruGo ColtsPremium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
kudos:7 | reply to LazMan
said by LazMan:With the dips and waves, low slope, uneven capping, and all, well, you'll be fighting a losing battle trying to patch... I'd start budgeting for a 'new' new roof ASAP... I'd start budgeting for even lower down then just a new roof. The sheathing under it is likely shot just based on the amount of patching and tarring there appears to be. And it wouldn't surprise me if there is significant issues with the underlying rafters/trusses/whatever. |
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 jjoshuaPremium
join:2001-06-01
Scotch Plains, NJ
kudos:3
 ·Verizon FiOS
| reply to Ostracus
said by Ostracus:Photo of roof. Leaks are to the left, center, and right.
That's a mess.
You're going to have to remove the shingles and sheathing to see how much more work needs to be done. |
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 stevek1949We're not in Kansas anymore
join:2002-11-13
Virginia Beach, VA | reply to Ostracus
After looking at the picture, a total re-roof job is probably the only answer. I am going to bet that you will find several layers of shingles under there, with a lot of sheathing needing to be replaced. It is probably single boards instead of plywood.
Time to budget 10-12K for a re-roof. I am not a roofer or contractor, just my guestimate. |
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| Heh, I know the picture isn't the best (and yes the structure underneath has issues), but the original job replaced all five! layers with just one. As for the center, the main leak there is a soil stack was removed, boot and all, and I don't think a good patch job was done on it. The left leak I suspect is running down a beam. The right has been a hit and miss pain because it's hard to locate.
And for the record it originally didn't have all that roofing tar, a lot of that is from trying to nail down the leaks. |
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robbinPremium,MVM
join:2000-09-21
Leander, TX
kudos:1 | said by Ostracus:And for the record it originally didn't have all that roofing tar, a lot of that is from trying to nail down the leaks.
That's not the way to fix leaks in shingle roof. Take the shingles off of the leaking area until you find the leak and then re-shingle that area. |
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cdruGo ColtsPremium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
kudos:7 | reply to Ostracus
said by Ostracus:Heh, I know the picture isn't the best (and yes the structure underneath has issues), but the original job replaced all five! layers with just one. Did you get closeout pricing on multiple different styles of shingles. Obviously it's in a shadow in the lower left, but it looks like at least 3 if not more different shades of shingles were used.
And for the record it originally didn't have all that roofing tar, a lot of that is from trying to nail down the leaks.
Properly installed, there should be zero chance that any flat area of a roof should leak. Near valleys, vents, walls, etc there can be an excuse if proper installation and flashing isn't done. But out in the middle where it's just the shingle, the shingles have to seriously installed incorrectly to have a leak. |
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| reply to Ostracus
Wow what a disaster! I agree with everybody else budget and have a professional company come in and fix the structure and then re shingle it.
--
Professional student pilot! |
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| reply to Ostracus
There are a lot of shadows in that picture that make it look worse than it actually is. The cropping around the edge doesn't help either.
I don't think the whole roof needs to be redone, but at the very least the leaking spots should be pulled up, repaired underneath, and reshingled. That shouldn't cost too much. |
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| If the weather cooperates tomorrow, I'll see about taking another. |
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garys_2kPremium
join:2004-05-07
Farmington, MI Reviews:
 ·callwithus
·Callcentric
| reply to Ostracus
Who did the roof three years ago? In any case, I wouldn't want them to come back and try a repair, they did an awful job.
I agree about the mix of shingle styles and colors, it looks like there's a mix of brown, gray and black on there, maybe some white or very light gray. The tar you put on will likely make removing the shingles to find the leak very difficult. Plus, the bottom edge looks very unfinished, but with the cropping it's hard to tell. No gutters, drip molding looks loose in spots, etc.
Could you ask some reputable roofers to give you a price? I know money's tight but a leaking roof is slow motion demolition that has to be stopped. Clearly the "roofer" that did your work a few years ago wasn't qualified to get up on a ladder. |
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lutful... of ideasPremium
join:2005-06-16
Ottawa, ON Reviews:
·TekSavvy DSL
1 edit | reply to Ostracus
said by Ostracus:Any ideas other than another re-shingle job? Home Depot and Lowes sell corrugated roofing panels which could cover up the whole mess at reasonable cost. Usually they are greyish but I have seen reddish panels in a recent flyer. Galvanized steel or UV-safe polycarbonate which are very light.
»www.palramamericas.com/Suntuf |
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 mityfowlPremium
join:2000-11-06
Dallas, TX | said by lutful:said by Ostracus:Any ideas other than another re-shingle job? Home Depot and Lowes sell corrugated roofing panels which could cover up the whole mess at reasonable cost. Usually they are greyish but I have seen reddish panels in a recent flyer. Galvanized steel or UV-safe polycarbonate which are very light. » www.palramamericas.com/Suntuf Might as well add some of that.
He's got everything else on there.  |
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| reply to lutful
That's actually an interesting idea. Two things, could it be installed over a preexisting roof, and the other is how to deal with the cap? |
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