Leak - HELP!

Hi guys, looking for some direction here. I'll do my best to explain the situation.

I found a leak entering the attic and running down the inside of the wall before dripping through the ceiling of the lower level.

What I have found is severe water staining on the exterior stucco. The eaves runs along the back side of the roof and stops at the chimmney. The chimmney sticks out from the house about 2 ft. It is the corner of the chimmney, where the roof meets it that I believe to be the problem. The water is staining the side of the chimmney where the eaves stops.

Now, I have done all that I can in trying to patch the corner where the roof meets the ceiling. I have tryed to seal the corner about a foot from the edge of the roof, down to the edge of the roof beside the chimmney, and wrapping under the eaves to the wall of the house (confused yet?). But still I have water entering.

I am open to any suggestion. The roof does not have a gutter apron. Could this be the problem and the staining be unrelated? If you have any questions to clearify things I'll do my best to answer them.

Thanks in advance.

 

If you could take a digital picture of the chimney / roof and post the link here, it might help us see what the problem is. My first thought would be to suspect the flashing and tuckpointing around the chimney.

Not sure about the staining, but often, if a chimney has a leaking chimney cap (on top) water running inside the chimney will eventually leak out of the chimney and carry with it all sorts of stains from the interior of the chimney.

 

Good point, I figured it would be pretty tough to try to explain in words.

I'll snap a pic when I get home tonight and post if for you guys.

Out of curiousity, is there an additional flashing you can put on that would go above the shingles? Not knowing anything about this stuff I was thinking something in the shape of angle iron, set in the corner between the roof and the chimmney and the egdes sealed with caulking. Ugly no doubt but if it's effective.

 

Here are some pics. Go easy on me here guys. We had a huge dump of snow a couple of weeks ago and the weather has finally turned causing it all to melt. This is how I discovered the leak. In my mad rush to stop it I picked up the only sealant I could find that could be applied when the surface was wet. I will be taking the time to do things properly when I figure out exactly what that is!

first shot of the corner of the chimmney
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...1/100_1096.jpg
second
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...1/100_1097.jpg

Shot of the lack of apron. Having to get this close to take the pictures I see that the wood under the shingles is starting to lift do to the lack of apron. Could this be the root of my problems?
http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g2...1/100_1098.jpg

*edit* Sorry about the links, not sure why they aren't displaying as urls. Copy and paste in your browser will bring them up!

 

I dont think the lack of apron ( or metal edge ) is causing your leak but it will cause severe delamination of plywood. If I understand, the chimney is basicly at the outside wall and goes out even with or past the overhang. What I am seeing in the pics appears to be not a masonry fireplace. It looks like a frame and stucco affair. The step flashing appears to be in place. Here are some of the possible problems: If the chimney is frame and stucco, the stocco can be porous and without good waterproofing under it, water can get in. Also, it can be common for the top to be a metal cap (chase cap)instead of stucco. If this is the case you may want to check fit, fastners, etc. The overhang should have an ice/snow shield. If the chimney is in the overhang, that shield will have to stop at the chimney. You have have had a leak due only to ice/snow build up on the overhang that casued water to get under shingles at or near the point that the shield stops. Also look for openings in the stucco itsself. First pic shows a dark area on corner that mite be open..... Hope this helps

 

None of the pictures show the back side of the chimney, which is where I would suspect a leak. The step flashings along the chimney look good, but I question the way the chimney is flashed and shingled on the top side- the side snow and ice would dam up on. Unless properly detailed, water can easily enter at that point, or where that flashing on the back side transitions to the step flashings at the corners. All the caulking in the world will not fix a chimney that is not properly flashed.

The edge of the plywood is delaminating because there is no edge flashing. Water can blow back, or wick back under your shingles and soak the plywood in that area. The roofer should have installed gutter apron in this instance.

 

Is there a cricket behind the chimney?
Jim

 

Thanks for the input guys.

I guess the reason I'm leaning towards the area that the plywood is lifting is because that is pretty much where the water is coming in on the inside. Understandably however, water can enter one point and run a good distance before it shows itself.

The chimney is indeed stucco. I think I will install an apron regardless as it is evident that damage to the roof is resulting from it one not being there. The shingles have been installed with no overlap, they are flush with the edge of the roof. You are also correct in that the chimney extends past the edge of the roof.

The chimney cap is metal. I will also check all corners and fasteners on the metal cap to ensure they are sealed properly.

If you don't mind I'd like to snap a couple more pictures, one of the backside of the chimney and the cap on top of the chimney. If the backside of the chimney is not flashed properly, am I doomed?

Thanks for the help guys. I look forward to your assesment of the pics I'll post tonight!

 

Ummm, what's a cricket?

 

A cricket is like a small gable end that butts into your chimney. It's purpose is to shed water to the right and left side of a chimney so that water does not have to run horizontally in order to drain. From what I can see, there is no cricket behind your chimney, which is the reason why I suspect the back side chimney flashing as one source of a leak.

 

I see, sort of. I will snap a pic for you guys in the morning, got home a little late and it's getting dark already. I'm not sure about a cricket but there is a portion of the roof that is pitched to the left and right as it reaches the chimney.

 

That little gable is a cricket or saddle in some parts of the country. You say the leak is at or near the edge of the plywood where the gutter meets?? That point should be lower in elevation than the ceiling of your house. Water does not run uphill (there are some exceptions) so if that point is lower than the leak, it is not there. Describe the leak in terms such as seeping, running, etc. Is it on the interior ceiling, just the walls, or is this only in the outside soffit area?? I may not be thinking correctly here. If it is running down the face or side of the chimney, just where is it.