Can You Help Me Find My Roof Leak Please?

[Tony Angelino]

Good afternoon fellow DIY PH'ers. We have recently noticed a damp patch in our hallway that seems to be getting a touch worse, during this weeks huge downpour (those in the North will probably know how bad it was) we had beads of water running down an internal and an external wall. Before we get a roofer in, and we don't really know one so it will probably be a yellow pages/trust a trader type recommendation, is there anything dead obviously to you lads and lasses that could just be fixed relatively easily?

I have my eye on the small gap in the tiles 2/3rds of the way down but that looks worse on the pictures than it is in real life. My other half seems to think there could be an issue with the flashing - does anything look obviously out of place please does anybody think or am I best off throwing myself at the mercy of a local roofer?

We have been given some self adhesive flashing but it could be too much hassle for us to attempt it only leaving the embarrassment of asking somebody who knows what their doing to come in and clean up our mess and sort the original issue, no doubt trying to make me feel lower than shark st air the same time.

Any input welcome.

thanks

[B17NNS]

Looks to be in relatively good shape (I'm no roofer though).

I'd be removing the plant that you're growing in the downspout though

[Alucidnation]

No one is going to be able to help you just from pictures.

Water finds its way in anywhere and it's never the place that's obvious most of the time.

Do you know a decent builder?

[SantaBarbara]

It may be finding its way in higher up actually

Go up into the loft and look

[Oystercatcher]

I'm no expert, but I'd want the flashing extended down the tiles a bit under the downpipe. You've also got a tile gap quite close which isn't fully protected by the tile underneath due to proximity to the wall.

[Tony Angelino]

SantaBarbara said:

It may be finding its way in higher up actually

Go up into the loft and look

Will do to double check, thanks - this is the kind of porch roof though and the leaking shows itself downstairs so I had ruled out the main roof.

thanks to everybody else who replied. I don't really know anybody in that kind of game so would be relying on a friend of a friend sort of thing. Just thought if there was anything glaringly obvious to anybody we may be able to diagnose the issue quickly and cheaply.

[magooagain]

Is there a lot of water coming out of that downpipe under heavy rain? Is it taking the water from the front half of the main house roof?

I would get that down pipe changed so it goes straight to ground somehow.

[Greendubber]

We had a similar leak and it wasn't the flashing but a lack of cavity trays in the wall, it only became apparent once our house was 4 years old and we'd had horrific rain over one Christmas.

Luckily all sorted by the NHBC.

[SantaBarbara]

How is that plant getting sufficient water to flourish so abundant?

[Simon_GH]

Hi Tony,

I'm not a roofer but fortunately was recommended a 'friend of a friend' when we had a couple of small leaks. The weak spots appear to be ridge tiles / mortar around these tiles (hip tiles on your case but seem to do the same job) and flashing. Lead flashing can crack where it expands and contracts due to temperature changes leaving small gaps.

Not much use I know but might be worth a closer look. If you know people in any building trade they tend to be able to recommend someone trustworthy in the different specialities.

Good luck!

[N Dentressangle]

magooagain said:

Is there a lot of water coming out of that downpipe under heavy rain? Is it taking the water from the front half of the main house roof?

I would get that down pipe changed so it goes straight to ground somehow.

That would be my opening gambit, too.You could just remove the shoe from the bottom of it, fit a collar and a short length of straight pipe and test the theory when it next pours down. Shouldn't have to wait long...

[Qcarchoo]

The flashing to the right of the downpipe has been set underneath the tiles.
This is more than likely the cause.
It won't leak normally but in heavy rain, combined with the downpipe outlet, water will accumulate in that area and work it's way under the tiles.
I'd be taking the flashing off, putting soakers in, then I'd put a cover flashing over the top of the tiles.

[Tony Angelino]

Simon & Norbert

Thanks for the replies, this fall pipe is just for the extention roof - roughly about 1/3rd of the size of the whole roof and the rest of the roof is a few feet higher. Worth a look though, will try upload a pic later on of the whole set up.

[jas xjr]

i had a similar leak on a roof like that last year. the flashings and tiles were fine. light rain did not cause any problems. but when we had heavier rain , it poured in.
i stripped the tiles off and found that the felt had perished along the bottom edge. it was fine further up. so i cut it back, tucked some new membrane under and re-tiled. it has been fine since.

[Order66]

Qcarchoo said:

The flashing to the right of the downpipe has been set underneath the tiles.
This is more than likely the cause.

This. Water hitting that wall will go straight under the tiles...so if it rains at the correct angle then you'll get a leak

[Gary C]

In my experience, roof leaks are a nightmare to find, and an experienced roofer will save you so much pain & suffering.

I always like to do things myself, but roofing I've found expert help is essential.

[jas xjr]

Gary C said:

In my experience, roof leaks are a nightmare to find, and an experienced roofer will save you so much pain & suffering.

I always like to do things myself, but roofing I've found expert help is essential.

i like to diy, but i was quoted £1700 , a but too rich for me. in my case , i already had the membrane. it took me two days, as i am not very well. really enjoyed doing it to be honest.

[Gary C]

jas xjr said:

Gary C said:

In my experience, roof leaks are a nightmare to find, and an experienced roofer will save you so much pain & suffering.

I always like to do things myself, but roofing I've found expert help is essential.

i like to diy, but i was quoted £1700 , a but too rich for me. in my case , i already had the membrane. it took me two days, as i am not very well. really enjoyed doing it to be honest.

£1700 !

Last roof leak I had cost £200 to sort by a local roofer. For £1700 was that for a whole new roof ?

Think I would have diy rather than pay that. Nice one.

[jas xjr]

Gary C said:

£1700 !

Last roof leak I had cost £200 to sort by a local roofer. For £1700 was that for a whole new roof ?

Think I would have diy rather than pay that. Nice one.

i have a poor memory , but it was just a small section. i might have been tempted to do it even if it was £200
the firm is quite big , with someone who surveys the job etc

[condor]

I suggest removing the plant as that is blocking the gutter downpipe . Could well be the rest of the gutter is clogged with weeds/moss etc.
Getting up close, you might be able to see something obvious...eg. cracks in lead flashing that aren't visible in the photo.