I have a very symmetrical mark, 17X25, along one wall in one room. The roof has been checked; it's not leaking. There are no marks in the attic under the insulation. Where else can water be coming in from and why would the spot be so even? I have sprayed the spot with bleach water so I can tell when/if it should leak again. I have gutter toppers; could they be contributing to this problem? What about the over hang?
And, most importantly, what kind of repair person should I call to fix this? I don't want a salesperson - I need a maintenance/construction type person. I had a roofer look at it - he charged me a huge amount of money and never looked in the attic to see that the roof wasn't even leaking, so where do I go from here?
2007-03-19 09:21:08 · 7 answers · asked by carolaeponziokeith 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Per questions from the responders:
Stain is 17" X 25", is on an outside wall, with no plumbing on it, it was cool, though not really "wet" to the touch so don't think it's an older stain, it's not high on the ceiling, just right along the edge of the room, roof has been checked by roofer & by outside & in attic-it looks to be in good shape, w/ no sign of leaks anywhere, it's not very steep, just a standard ranch house.
It's my opinion that ice from lots of snow along w/ severe cold spell may have been sitting on gutter topper & since this is on the north side of the house, the ice worked it's way under the gutter topper, along the wall..? Is this possible at all? Should roofer come back (I think he could've looked a little harder for what I paid him!) or is this a gutter problem that a general contractor could fix? I'm not sure I trust the roofer anymore since he didn't try as hard as we did. He even said it wasn't necessary for him to go into the attic. I know better now.
2007-03-19 10:59:41 · update #1
Are you sure it's not from an older leak, that has since been repaired, but the stain wasn't covered?
2007-03-19 09:25:40 · answer #1 · answered by kj 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if it is an exterior wall it is very possible that the gutter is backing up and allowing this. i've also seen cases where a/c duct work has leaks. is there any plumbing in that wall? where i come from roofers give free estimates. and if i couldnt find it on the roof i always have someone run a hose every where in that area and get in the attic, sorri i'm not there i would find the problem! good luck! look in the business classifieds of your newspaper!
2007-03-19 16:33:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sure sounds like " ice damming " to me. This is when snow is lying in gutters and on the over hang. During the day, this snow melts and becomes saturated with water. At night this water freezes and pushes the shingle tabs apart from each other, eventually exposing a leak. The next time your roof is replaced, use a " heal-able membrane " type product [ roof underlayment, blue skin, Bithuthein[sp.?]. These are roll type, peel and stick products, no second chances here folks. Be careful not to allow it to touch itself, make certain the roll is square when it first contacts the roof. Avoid bubbles, wrinkles and likely U.V., always lap over from above. I use this on all my over hangs,[ this is known as the " water table "] valleys and protrusions. Also the ridge, if no continuous ridge vent is used. If it is a shiny, smooth surface, be extremely careful when you have to step on it. I also use 10 lb. felt, on the rest of the roof deck, along with a quality shingle, being certain to use all necessary drip edges [ beneath membrane ],plumbing, venting, and step flashings.
I am also assuming that there is no window, outside light fixture, plumbing, venting, etc., near the stain.
2007-03-24 09:36:55 · answer #3 · answered by locksmith 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure it's a water stain, bleach doesn't remove water stains that I've ever experienced unless it was just moisture and not a volume of water. Is this 17x25 feet or inches if its feet I would consider looking at that gutter topper and if you've got a steep pitch to your roof that system is a waste of money, give us a little more info .
2007-03-19 16:31:09 · answer #4 · answered by Les the painter 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
another possible solution is there an attic vent near the stain moist air could be entering and slightly dampening insulation in proximity and affecting ceiling yet not enough moisture to cause noticeable water had this problem in ranch style house in calif. no snow here so not sure if this applies
2007-03-23 13:44:47 · answer #5 · answered by richard g 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could still be a roofing problem. Was it high up on the wall?
the roof could leak in one area and the water could travel to the wall where it is showing.
2007-03-19 16:26:02 · answer #6 · answered by ryee40007 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK
2007-03-19 16:22:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋