Roof leaks difficult to locate and repair
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Q: We have a concrete barrel tile roof leak and have had five roofing contractors (including myself) attempt to fix it with no luck. We have invested over $1,500 thus far.
We believe the leak originates in a valley but it has been extended and patched on numerous occasions. I personally have done roof leak testing with a garden hose and it appears to leak when I put the hose at the top of the valley. Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated. David P., Lakeway
A:As you have discovered, roof leaks can be very difficult to locate and repair. All it takes is a small hole. Once water starts funneling into it, it seems that all of it wants to go there.
You have correctly assessed that water testing is a good way to find a leak. The best method is to start at the bottom with the water hose and work upward until water appears inside the attic. A partner in the attic is helpful.
Based on the information that you provided, it is recommended that you remove all of the tiles from the valley and both sides. Replace the valley flashing and reinstall the barrel tiles, but cut them back so that mortar can be used to form a trough. The huge amount of water that a valley collects will then be directed off of the roof.
It may surprise you to know that tile roofs are not guaranteed to be waterproof. The underlayment applied prior to the tile installation should be thick and watertight enough to repel the hardest of rains without the tile on top. The tile protects the waterproofing from harmful elements such as hail and sunlight.
Our Expert: Celia Malin, CM Builders, and Ralph Wilson, Wilson Roofing. Phone: (512)417-4543; Email: cmalin@cmbuilderstx.com; Web: www.cmbuilderstx.com.
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For more than 50 years, the HBA has served as the leading not-for-profit trade organization dedicated to residential construction and remodeling in Central Texas. For more information, visit AustinHomeBuilders.com. While every attempt has been made to ensure that the information contained in this column has been obtained from reliable sources, the HBA and Austin American-Statesman are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. The information contained in this column is for general guidance on matters of interest only. Before making any decision or taking any action, consult a professional.
