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412

I've got a big roof. There's a small section that is flat. Over the summer I retarred it. We've had some high winds and rain over the last few days. The roof is leaking into the room below it. There's nothing I'm going to be able to do to fix it at this moment due to freezing temperatures, high winds, and incoming snow. Not to mention the roof is wet anyways so there's not much I'd be able to do to it to seal it. I'm thinking for the time that I need to throw a tarp over it and throw some stones on top of the tarp. Horrible time of year for this to be happening. I'm most likely not going to be able to get up onto the roof to permanently fix it until spring. So here's my question. How would you guys go about doing so to prevent further damage? Trying to file a claim through insurance most likely is not most intelligent way to go. Because as soon as you mention water damage most insurance companies will drop you. The area of the flat part of the roof is maybe 12 by 12. The leaky part is only about a 2X 2 foot section.

I've got a big roof. There's a small section that is flat. Over the summer I retarred it. We've had some high winds and rain over the last few days. The roof is leaking into the room below it. There's nothing I'm going to be able to do to fix it at this moment due to freezing temperatures, high winds, and incoming snow. Not to mention the roof is wet anyways so there's not much I'd be able to do to it to seal it. I'm thinking for the time that I need to throw a tarp over it and throw some stones on top of the tarp. Horrible time of year for this to be happening. I'm most likely not going to be able to get up onto the roof to permanently fix it until spring. So here's my question. How would you guys go about doing so to prevent further damage? Trying to file a claim through insurance most likely is not most intelligent way to go. Because as soon as you mention water damage most insurance companies will drop you. The area of the flat part of the roof is maybe 12 by 12. The leaky part is only about a 2X 2 foot section.
[–] • 2 pts

I had what seems to be almost the same issue. House from 1960s, add on built on in the back of the house, extending from the back of the fireplace in a large 15x15' enclosed porch. Where the add-on roof butted up against the fireplace they did no flashing at all. None. They had the local road crew tar the ever lasting shit out of it instead, which after several decades in south Texas heat, turned it all into sparkling obsidian. I got a roofer out and for the low price of 8,000 I got all new decking, sealant layer, roll out covering, and proper flashing for the fireplace area (we designed and built a cricket).

To answer your question though, I would get more tar - thats what I did - tar and tar tape/paper like shit and just get it to where it won't leak for now. It will look ugly but you want to save your walls.

[–] • 3 pts

> I had what seems to be almost the same issue. House from 1960s, add on built on in the back of the house, extending from the back of the fireplace in a large 15x15' enclosed porch.

Yeah this house is from the '60s, and it looks like it was an addition. All my roof is sloped except that one small room. I'll get some tar and tar the heck out of that corner until the spring when I can rip that up I guess. Thank you for the tips.

[–] • 3 pts

Correct. He needs a seasonal patch so it an be fixed next year, not leak in the meantime, and not cause several thousand more in damage. OP, get a gallon of Henry's (it works when the roof deck is wet) and a trowel. And some rubber gloves.

[–] • 0 pt

henry's has a lot of good product

[–] • 1 pt

I would put the biggest dehumidifier you can get and keep it in that room. That will keep the moisture damage to a minimum through the winter. My sun room leaks but the dehumidifier keeps up. Putting off the big fix.

[–] • 1 pt

I've just finished rebuilding our "3 season" room, and did a bunch of remedial waterproofing. While I can't give you precise advice on this location, I have a material recommendation for you:

Zip system's Stretch Tape

They recommend using it along window and door framing, and also utility penetrations. It is quite flexible, stretches like crazy and is tenacious stuff. It is also very pricey and smells like cancer. That said, it is very effective at what it does: waterproofing.

If you have an area identified where a flexible membrane would be a good solution, this stuff will deliver.

[–] • 1 pt

Thank you.

[–] • 2 pts

Also. Those leaf proof gutters aren’t helping, they puddle a bit of water on top. Clean them off. You could also get yourself a piece of galvanized metal (thin), a decent hand cutter (I like Milwaukee) and form a 3 side piece to patch over that, being a top left and right side. Slide it under the roof, use lots of high quality 4th gen silicone that works on wet surface. (Buy the priciest tube). Cover the whole inside surface of the patch, slip it in, bit more goo on the edges. Probably never leak again. May need to open the roof internally and get a dehumidifier goin to get the water out before mold sets in or plan on replacing that entire section of room/roof next year. Prompt attention to leaks yields best results.

[–] • 1 pt

Where is the leaky section? Like you're sure it's not a flashing issue?

[–] • 1 pt

> Where is the leaky section?

On the corner of the room, so the corner of the roof. Possible flashing. I haven't climbed up on the roof yet. I'm going to be doing that in the next hour or so.

[–] • 1 pt

If that's the case I don't see a tarp helping, though I don't really know how this leaky corner is situated... A picture of the situation would help.

[–] • 1 pt

I think I found the problem. Do you think there's anything I can do to cover it until winter is over without causing more damage?

[–] • 1 pt

I'll take a pic when I climb up there here in a few.

[–] • 1 pt

using a tarp use cap nails. use those for roll out asphalt paper too. install a drip edge and/or flashing. could be it is blowing in under the edge of the roof . you might have caused damage when you were on it. best bet is to peel it down and look at the sheathing. being flat you'll want to caulk/ tar or maybe cover with hot tar over sheathing and roll out seams. definitely have drip edge and flashing