Squirting waterproof GreatStuff from underneath to stop roof leak
#1
10-01-21, 05:09 PM
Squirting waterproof GreatStuff from underneath to stop roof leak
Got solar panels, they took down the steel roof and replaced it with some sort of series of waterproof slabs.
Leaked, called them, they fixed it, leaked again, called again, fixed again.
Leaking once more and I guess they got tired of me and stopped returning my calls or texts.
It's a crappy house that will get knocked down when I sell it for the location so I don't care about aesthetics.
Can I remove the enough of the ceiling to access the leak from below then squirt a bunch of waterproof greatstuff up into the leak and it will expand to the outside and stop the leak?
I really don't want to have to start taking off panels, hoping to find the leak from outside and try and seal it from outside since I don't really have a way to get on the roof, would have to put my weight on the solar panel(s), conquer my fear of heights ,etc etc.
Leaked, called them, they fixed it, leaked again, called again, fixed again.
Leaking once more and I guess they got tired of me and stopped returning my calls or texts.
It's a crappy house that will get knocked down when I sell it for the location so I don't care about aesthetics.
Can I remove the enough of the ceiling to access the leak from below then squirt a bunch of waterproof greatstuff up into the leak and it will expand to the outside and stop the leak?
I really don't want to have to start taking off panels, hoping to find the leak from outside and try and seal it from outside since I don't really have a way to get on the roof, would have to put my weight on the solar panel(s), conquer my fear of heights ,etc etc.
#2
10-01-21, 05:40 PM
Group Moderator
Great stuff does not stop leaks. Their definition of "waterproof" should be taken with a grain of salt.
Trying to stop a leak from inside is a waste of time.
Trying to stop a leak from inside is a waste of time.
#3
10-02-21, 03:28 AM
Group Moderator
#5
10-02-21, 05:40 AM
Member
Its not the material but the application.
As others have noted the leak, regardless of the material used to seal, needs to be dont on the exterior before the water enters the roof sheeting.
Your wanting to put the band aid on the wrong side of the cut!
As others have noted the leak, regardless of the material used to seal, needs to be dont on the exterior before the water enters the roof sheeting.
Your wanting to put the band aid on the wrong side of the cut!
#6
10-02-21, 06:28 AM
thank you for the feedback.
with back to back to back panels there's no way I'm locating the leak from the outside.
the roofing companies want to charge me $10k for a new roof (in addition to the cost of removing and replacing the panels), not gonna happen.
so how does this strategy sound ...
1. wait for rain
2. remove the ceiling
3. locate the leak from the inside
4. squirt expanding foam into the leak
5. look for the light colour of the expanding foam protruding at the leak point on the outside
6. slosh a whole bunch of waterproof substance over the leaking area
if that's feasible strategy then the question becomes what waterproof substance should be used? ideally it can be sprayed so I can just lean over onto the roof and point rather than hoisting myself up there and hoping my weight doesn't break a panel
with back to back to back panels there's no way I'm locating the leak from the outside.
the roofing companies want to charge me $10k for a new roof (in addition to the cost of removing and replacing the panels), not gonna happen.
so how does this strategy sound ...
1. wait for rain
2. remove the ceiling
3. locate the leak from the inside
4. squirt expanding foam into the leak
5. look for the light colour of the expanding foam protruding at the leak point on the outside
6. slosh a whole bunch of waterproof substance over the leaking area
if that's feasible strategy then the question becomes what waterproof substance should be used? ideally it can be sprayed so I can just lean over onto the roof and point rather than hoisting myself up there and hoping my weight doesn't break a panel
#7
10-02-21, 06:35 AM
Group Moderator
Your reasoning is flawed because roof leaks generally are not directly above where the dripping occurs inside. Water runs downhill and the leak could run a long ways on top of the underlayment or decking before it actually finds its way in.
#9
10-02-21, 06:57 AM
Group Moderator
Roof leaks are fixed from the top side... and that is the solution. No one said a new roof was the solution. Where you see the leak inside is not where the leak is on the top side. It could be 4, 8, 12 feet above where it shows up inside. Sorry but that's the way it is. Get a lawyer involved.
#10
10-03-21, 06:40 PM
I took down the part of the ceiling that the drip was coming out of so that I could see the point at which it's coming in and then put a big bucket underneath it.
This way wherever the source is it has a relief inside and I just dump the bucket.
No it's not elegant but I'm looking to sell this place sooner than later anyway
This way wherever the source is it has a relief inside and I just dump the bucket.
No it's not elegant but I'm looking to sell this place sooner than later anyway
#11
10-04-21, 12:04 AM
Member
but I'm looking to sell this place sooner than later anyway
It needs to be fixed and it's going to cost you one way or the other at the time of sale!
