Help Identifying Type of Roof + Need some info

Hello.

My home has a small light-well adjacent to the living room and bathroom. When we got the place about 6 months ago, I was told by the inspector that the roof needed to be re-done.

I don't want to go blindly getting estimates, so I'm hoping to arm myself with info.

First, can someone tell me the type of roof this is?

Second, from the attached photos, what really needs to be done? I noticed the roofing is separating from the wall (see third photo) and the area with the (for lack of a better term) "goopy" stuff has a few holes in it.

Lastly, is this something I can/should do myself?


Thanks all.

 

Not exactly easy to tell from the pictures. Could be modified bitumen (torch down), could be epdm (rubber), could even be the old standard hot mop built up roof. Does it exhibit resilience underfoot such as rubber would?

Usually, if a roof leaks and has not been attended to quickly, decay organisms will become an issue in the underlying framing.

The problem with you doing it is that your inexperience will leave you too vulnerable once you get the old material torn off and you are confronted with issues.

You might pay a visit to a commercial roofing supply house and ask for a few names of craftsmen who will do small jobs such as yours.

 

Thanks.

Just found our inspection report and it is modified bitumen.

What about products like the sealant that Henry makes. Just a band-aid?

 

Roof issues can be difficult to assess from pictures. Shrinkage and cracking can be signs that replacement is a wise choice.. Patches may buy you anything from no time to a little time. But you haven't really said anything about it exhibiting any leakage?

 

[Knock on wood] No issues with leakage. It's semi covered. One wall is partially open and it has a skylight.

Sometime last year we had a few days of pretty hard rain, the drain got covered and the whole well filled up with about 4-6" of water. There were no visible signs of leakage. Doesn't mean it didn't leak, but I didn't see anything.

Basically the plan for this area is to open up a bit more of the side wall with 2x4 slats tightly spaced. We'd also install translucent lucite or similar halfway from the top, so about 3' will be open.

Then we are going to get risers and create a small deck. Not sure if that will add any more protection or not.

We don't get a ton of rain in SF, and even when it does, it's usually pretty brief. The aforementioned storm was a bit of an anomaly.