- Thread starter Jblakes
- Start date
Roofer added soakers today but it's bone dry under the flashing even though it rained inside about 30mins before. He's taken some pictures.
The two pictures of the flat roof are against the wall under the gutter. Which is where it's leaking in, or atleast around that area. Can anybody advise what to do?
The two pictures of the flat roof are against the wall under the gutter. Which is where it's leaking in, or atleast around that area. Can anybody advise what to do?
Does the sheeting / felting run up behind the flashing? If it doesn’t that might be where it is getting through?
Failing that, given the delay between the rain happening and you seeing it come through, maybe it is tracking in from further up? Maybe the roofline above the window if that hasn’t been detailed properly and water is sheeting down the walls / coming in the top of the walls rather than dripping off the edge?
Failing that, given the delay between the rain happening and you seeing it come through, maybe it is tracking in from further up? Maybe the roofline above the window if that hasn’t been detailed properly and water is sheeting down the walls / coming in the top of the walls rather than dripping off the edge?
I would want to 100% confirm the flat roof isn't leaking. Pour some water on it and see if it comes through. You can get UV tracer dye and torch kit cheaply enough if it isn't obvious.
Is lead flashing and a rubber membrane recommended combination? Lead does move around with expansion and contraction, would think it could easily wear through rubber membrane.
Last (of many) leak I fixed I thought was a porch roof, it turned out not to be that and was actually coming in around a badly sealed window frame. Tracked a long way through the building. That window looks badly maintained. That being said, my money is still on the flat roof.
Is lead flashing and a rubber membrane recommended combination? Lead does move around with expansion and contraction, would think it could easily wear through rubber membrane.
Last (of many) leak I fixed I thought was a porch roof, it turned out not to be that and was actually coming in around a badly sealed window frame. Tracked a long way through the building. That window looks badly maintained. That being said, my money is still on the flat roof.
i am planning of chucking some water on it later this week to see if its leaking in, as for the lead, i'm hoping because its sat on top of it, won't rub it.
Is there anyway to trace the water if its not the flat roof?. what would be the issue if i knock the render above a foot above the flat roof/flashing, just incase that the cause of the leaking in?
Is there anyway to trace the water if its not the flat roof?. what would be the issue if i knock the render above a foot above the flat roof/flashing, just incase that the cause of the leaking in?
Cubist
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The trouble with roofing materials for flat roofs is that they typically were not designed to be walked upon. As they age they can become brittle and prone to the formation of cracks. Given the amount of activity up there in recent times I would not discount the possibility that standing water is seeping through hairline cracks in the surface or behind the leadwork to then track to where you are seeing it indoors.
At the risk of pointing out the obvious that implies that something was done wrong at install.
Can’t remember if I posted the saga of my elderly parents flat roof on here but that leaked from day 1 - got up there and took a look and the interface to the sloped roof was completely wrong as the felt hadn’t been run up behind the tiles from the sloped roof, and the felt had been “torched on” despite it being bog standard garden shed felt so unsurprisingly had not survived the experience.
Got a full refund from the cowboy who did it and got a decent builder to do a fibreglass roof with a properly detailed interface to the sloping roof with membrane running up behind the tiled roof.
Not saying the above is relevant directly to yours but Occam’s razor and all that - if it has leaked since the new flat roof went in my first suspect would be the new flat roof. Failing that I’d be looking at the wall with the window and the roof above that
Can’t remember if I posted the saga of my elderly parents flat roof on here but that leaked from day 1 - got up there and took a look and the interface to the sloped roof was completely wrong as the felt hadn’t been run up behind the tiles from the sloped roof, and the felt had been “torched on” despite it being bog standard garden shed felt so unsurprisingly had not survived the experience.
Got a full refund from the cowboy who did it and got a decent builder to do a fibreglass roof with a properly detailed interface to the sloping roof with membrane running up behind the tiled roof.
Not saying the above is relevant directly to yours but Occam’s razor and all that - if it has leaked since the new flat roof went in my first suspect would be the new flat roof. Failing that I’d be looking at the wall with the window and the roof above that
The previous flat roof leaked in roughly the same spot as this one. The roof fitter is what I'd call flaky at best and getting him to come round is hard work. My plan is corner off the roof with towels and flood it and see what happens.
By no means an expert but that looks good to me. Unless I have it all wrong?
By no means an expert but that looks good to me. Unless I have it all wrong?
lizziecupcakes
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At the risk of this being a bad idea, put some dye in the water? I dunno if this will help you trace the leaks path?
So this looked to be the problem, no more leaks since it's been done. I stuffed mastic in all the cracks I could see to see if it stopped.
Can somebody advise what the best way to solve this permanently? This is next doors wall so need to consult with them first. I assume knock all render off and repoint with lime mortar?
Can somebody advise what the best way to solve this permanently? This is next doors wall so need to consult with them first. I assume knock all render off and repoint with lime mortar?
Cubist
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Given the extent of the visible cracks in the render the most effective treatment would be to remove ALL the render back to the base masonry and apply a new coat of lime render. When that has set and dried out you will then need to re-visit all the joint lines around windows and lead flashing to ensure they are all properly sealed and water tight.
lizziecupcakes
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Hello. I have been following along. Where is this in relation to the other photos you posted? Well done for finding the site!