ROOF LEAK What happened?
Roof leaks can be a nasty business. When water comes in through the roof you can have all kinds of damage. Sheathing can rot, mold or mildew can form, drywall and floors can be compromised. Sometimes the damage happens in the attic where you can't see it until something catastrophic happens. Let's see what happened in this video and one of my recent inspections.
Transcript:
Roof Leak - What Happened?
Greetings! I'm Dennis, representing Home Rehab Pros. I'm glad to have you here once again. Thank you for joining us. If you haven't subscribed yet, please consider doing so, and if you find the content valuable, a thumbs up would be greatly appreciated.
Today, I won't be demonstrating repair techniques, but I'm excited to show you an issue I encountered during one of my inspections. This case involves significant ceiling and roof damage. Although I haven't assessed the roof externally yet, we'll work together to uncover the root cause of this damage.
Indoors, we're stepping into the kitchen. Immediately, you'll notice that some drywall has been removed and tidied up, indicating awareness of a problem. There's evident damage to the roof decking, apparent through water stains and other issues. Since there's nothing above this area but the roof, and a small bedroom, we need to delve deeper and understand the source of this issue. The carpet in a nearby bedroom is soaked, clearly hinting at water intrusion. Drywall removal here also reveals water damage to the substrate. While the damage extends to both plywood and planking, the presence of moisture is undeniable. An intriguing detail is the old knob and tube wiring, a topic we'll address in another video.
However, let's shift our focus to the exterior of the house and determine the cause of these woes.
The Roof Examination: Now, onto the roof. My initial impression is that there are no glaring holes or structural concerns. Though, I'm not fond of the installation method. We'll discuss the inappropriate material choice momentarily. The use of old tar seems problematic, and observing the roof's profile from the side highlights the pitched and flat sections. A notable flaw is the presence of shingles where they shouldn't be; these should be reserved for pitched roofs. The correct material, such as flat roof material, is missing from the required areas. This choice has likely contributed to the issue at hand.
Unearthing the Culprit: The core of the problem comes into focus. First, there could be flashing issues at the junction of the house and the flat roof. Yet, the most significant concern is the use of asphalt shingles on a nearly flat surface. Allow me to clarify further.
Shingles have limitations. For flat roofs, a different approach is needed. Roll roofing or other suitable flat roof systems should be employed. Water tends to linger on a flat roof, necessitating materials that adhere well to the substrate. Shingles are generally suitable for roofs with at least a 2/12 pitch – meaning they rise two inches for every foot. Sadly, the presented flat roof has a lower pitch, less than the 2/12 requirement. Consequently, water can seep under the shingles, exacerbating the problem. In addition, there may be flashing complications.
The Resolution: Our recommended course of action is to remove the problematic materials, address any substrate damage, lay new plywood, and install a proper flat roof system. This approach will ensure efficient water runoff and prevent further intrusion into the house. The observed damage suggests that this issue has persisted for some time. The interior drywall, as evident in the images and videos, has been compromised.
I appreciate your engagement and the time you've invested in watching this video. Your support means a lot. If you find this content useful, kindly consider subscribing and giving us a thumbs up. Your feedback encourages us to continue sharing valuable insights. Once again, I'm Dennis from Home Rehab Pros, and I look forward to our next encounter. Stay tuned for more informative content!