Roof leaking fix idea

BlueFox

About 10 years or so ago I had my roof replaced, and so far it has held up quite well, except for one area. The last couple of years when it rains really hard for an extended time, there are drops coming in on the left side of the fireplace chimney. I have tried finding an opening, and spreading the black roof patching tar around it, but water still makes it in.

Anyway, I bought a heat gun and I am going to try melting the tar around the chimney with the hope it will ooze into any cracks and stop the leak. However, before I try this I thought I would ask if this is a reasonable idea, or will the tar go up in flames and I burn down my house.

soundfreak1

Use the "right tool for the right job"


Call a roofer!

BlueFox

That is an option, and probably less expensive than replacing a burnt down house. Of course, they will probably just use a heat gun to melt and reseal the tar.

goofyGAguy

soundfreak1 wrote: »

Use the "right tool for the right job"

Yes, in this case a credit card.

Polkersince85

Set the attic on fire and then go on the roof to see where the smoke is coming from. Look for cracks in the brick and around the liner too. Water may be backing up and over the seals so just re-melting may not do it.

chumlie

Sounds like your flashing is the problem. Try FlashSeal. Make sure you get the reinforcement fabric to go with it. Great product. I've used it with great results, as in no more leaking. It will last a couple of years. If you plan on staying i would get a roofer to redo the flashing. No telling the damage its already caused that you can't see.

WilliamM2

Yep, sounds like you need new flashing. If it started leaking after only 8 years, I'd hardly call that hloding up well. It should be replaced everytime the roofing is, but many roofers will cut corners and skip things like that to make more money, or get the lowest bid.

I'd call a roofer, who knows what else isn't right.

Devlon

I had a friend who used Flex Seal (Similar to Flash Seal) with good results. I understand Home Depot carries their own brand of it.

jbooker82

Devlon wrote: »

I had a friend who used Flex Seal (Similar to Flash Seal) with good results. I understand Home Depot carries their own brand of it.

Its like a Handy Man in a Can.

oldmodman

When I had my entire roof replace eight years ago the roofer paid special attention to the area around my chimney. It was the only area that I had repeated leak problems with.
The roofer used a special saw to cut an angled slot all the way around the chimney. The flashing went into the slot and was glued in place. Then it went down onto the roof and was covered in roofing "shingles"
Never leaked since and it survived one decent earthquake that was strong enough to shake loose a cap brick.
Good flashing solved all my leak problems. Not that it ever rains in Los Angeles.

decal

Get it fixed right, don't half-**** it with tar or other sealants.

11tsteve

oldmodman wrote: »

When I had my entire roof replace eight years ago the roofer paid special attention to the area around my chimney. It was the only area that I had repeated leak problems with.
The roofer used a special saw to cut an angled slot all the way around the chimney. The flashing went into the slot and was glued in place. Then it went down onto the roof and was covered in roofing "shingles"
Never leaked since and it survived one decent earthquake that was strong enough to shake loose a cap brick.
Good flashing solved all my leak problems. Not that it ever rains in Los Angeles.

this.

when we apply a steel roof, this has been our procedure and it works quite well. we use an angle grinder with a thin masonry wheel, and usually NP-1 caulk for the groove. if necessary, small Tapcons can be also used to keep the flashing in place.