roof leaks :(
#1
Hello,
I just had new guttering put along my roof as I thought that was why I was having water running in the house from around the windows. It now leaks worse. From what I can tell by looking, the pitch of the roof is not very steep and the water may be running back up the first row of shingles and then between the siding and edging and from there on the windows and down my wall. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO CORRECT THIS other than having everything torn off and start over Does anyone have a helpful hints for me other than that. I'm a single woman on a small budget.
Thanks in advance,
Edtree
I just had new guttering put along my roof as I thought that was why I was having water running in the house from around the windows. It now leaks worse. From what I can tell by looking, the pitch of the roof is not very steep and the water may be running back up the first row of shingles and then between the siding and edging and from there on the windows and down my wall. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO CORRECT THIS other than having everything torn off and start over Does anyone have a helpful hints for me other than that. I'm a single woman on a small budget.
Thanks in advance,
Edtree
#2
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Location: South Dakota
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I may be all wet. Lefty & Carpenter jump in on this one if you think I am way off base. If I had water coming in around my windows, I would probably look else where for the problem area other then the roof. Are the windows sealed on the outside around the brick mold or siding. New caulk.
Are your windows sealed ? Are you soffits sealed and gable ends sealed. Unless you roof is almost flat, it is hard to get water to run up hill. what kind of roofing is on your home ? Just some thoughts.
Are your windows sealed ? Are you soffits sealed and gable ends sealed. Unless you roof is almost flat, it is hard to get water to run up hill. what kind of roofing is on your home ? Just some thoughts.
#3
Hello Jack,
Thank you for the prompt reply. I had at first thought to reseal the windows, but the edges (believe it or not) are dry and the caulk is still holding. The water seems to be entering through the top and almost looks as if it's dripping right through the wood over the tops of the windows.
From the outside, you can see water dripping behind the new guttering on both ends. I grabbed a ladder and got up there felt wet underneath of the first row of shingles. There are also spots up there where there is standing water. I'm not sure if there is soffit, but I have aluminum facia behind the guttering. Hope this additional information is not too confusing. I'm not up on too many construction terms.
Thanks again,
Edtree
Thank you for the prompt reply. I had at first thought to reseal the windows, but the edges (believe it or not) are dry and the caulk is still holding. The water seems to be entering through the top and almost looks as if it's dripping right through the wood over the tops of the windows.
From the outside, you can see water dripping behind the new guttering on both ends. I grabbed a ladder and got up there felt wet underneath of the first row of shingles. There are also spots up there where there is standing water. I'm not sure if there is soffit, but I have aluminum facia behind the guttering. Hope this additional information is not too confusing. I'm not up on too many construction terms.
Thanks again,
Edtree
#4
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Another couple of questions. Do you have drip ledge on your roof ? It would look like a L shaped metal strip. nailed under your shingles and hanging down about 1" on your facia board. The back side of your gutters should slide up under the drip ledge, so all the water goes into the gutters. Also do you have drip caps on your windows?
These again are metal strips the width of your window outside, and one side slides up under your siding, and the other side sets on the top of your window and hangs over the edge of the window about 1/4".
These again are metal strips the width of your window outside, and one side slides up under your siding, and the other side sets on the top of your window and hangs over the edge of the window about 1/4".
#6
Thanks so much Jack and Oldguy
I do not have flashing over my windows but there is what looks like upside-down j-channel running over the tops of them. (There are 10 windows in a row). Upon further investigation tonight, I do believe that I have an end (although not a gable) that is not sealed and water is getting in there and running down the upside down j-channel, then, into the windows and house. I tried to cover the spot a little while ago where it looks like water is coming in with a scrap piece of metal I found. I also poked a few "weep" holes in the blasted upside down J-channel so it can hopefully drain before it gets to the window tops for the time being. I'll let you know in a few days if this cleared it up or not. I can't tell you how great it is to have someone to brainstorm with on this. If this turns out to be "it", I will look into those window drip edges for sure. By the way, do I need to take the windows out to install those?
A grateful Edtree
I do not have flashing over my windows but there is what looks like upside-down j-channel running over the tops of them. (There are 10 windows in a row). Upon further investigation tonight, I do believe that I have an end (although not a gable) that is not sealed and water is getting in there and running down the upside down j-channel, then, into the windows and house. I tried to cover the spot a little while ago where it looks like water is coming in with a scrap piece of metal I found. I also poked a few "weep" holes in the blasted upside down J-channel so it can hopefully drain before it gets to the window tops for the time being. I'll let you know in a few days if this cleared it up or not. I can't tell you how great it is to have someone to brainstorm with on this. If this turns out to be "it", I will look into those window drip edges for sure. By the way, do I need to take the windows out to install those?
A grateful Edtree
#7
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Northeastern NC On The Albemarle Sound
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No, you don't remove the windows. Just loosen the siding above and beside the windows to slip the flashing under it to nail it (and I caulk the flashing, too). Be sure, as Jack said, to work from the bottom/sides up to slide the lower flashing edges under the flashing above...water runs downhill. Good Luck!