How to FIND an exterior house Leak?
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KMS Woodworks on Nov 13, 2012Bricks and flashing are always tough to get sealed. Caulk would not be the best...I would steer more toward a "through the roof" type sealant. Once leaks get into a wall or ceiling it is tough to track them...they tend to run along the back if the drywall and can often be feet away from where the effects are first spotted.Helpful Reply
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Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com on Nov 13, 2012Infrared camera can spot the water location and path. You can also use a infrared thermometer to look for temp differences, but that can be a bit harder to do. Water can enter from the strangest places and often do not come from where your thinking it is. If there is a change of roof pitch, or where a roof meets a wall, that is always the first place to check for a leak. If the flashing was not properly sealed against the house behind the wall and behind the house wrap, the water can be getting in from behind there. I have had leaks in some homes where the leak was coming from a window in the upper level of the house, traveled between the spaces and joints in the plywood sheathing ending up leaking in the basement still. Not knowing your homes layout it is impossible to give you ideas on where to leak. Photos of the roof, walls and area where leak is occurring can help a lot.Helpful Reply
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Jim Ginas on Nov 13, 2012@ KMS: thanks, I'll look for "through the roof" at Lowes, @ Woodridge: ok, I'll wind up calling in a roofing contractor (i'll check if they have Infrared cameras before hiring them) an ask them to find and fix the leak. Thanks much.Helpful Reply
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Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com on Nov 13, 2012This is what you are supposed to be seeing in regards to the correct flashing detail Where the flashing meets and lays over the top course o shingles the contractor can cut and glue using asphalt cement a shingle to hide the flashing, but the roof shingle that is offering the protection of water proofing must be under the flashing in order for it to work.Helpful Reply
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Nora on Nov 14, 2012Ugh, I hope you find it fast, Jim!Helpful Reply
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Jim Ginas on Nov 14, 2012Hi Norah! Its strange, we had it during last year's hurricane, then nothing really unless we had heavy sideways driving rains. This past month, although we had heavy rains, they weren't significant enough that we should have heard the water, but we did and this past rain wasn't bad at all, yet it happened again. I am hopeful to get this worked in the next week or so.Helpful Reply
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KMS Woodworks on Nov 15, 2012most leaks get worse with time...the failure may start as some simple caulk cracks...then end up with the caulk falling out. I have seen this too many times.Helpful Reply
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Jim Ginas on Nov 15, 2012KMS: you are exactly right! It started as only in the worst driving rains, and now with just a typical rain, we hear it. I've been working 14 hour days this week, and will have to use tomorrow to try and 1) seal a crack in a brick near the window and 2) caulk around the glass and frame. (painters Powerwash today on exterior and when they hit the windows, it happened again. THEN if not, I have to find a contractor with that Infrared camera!Helpful Reply
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KMS Woodworks on Nov 16, 2012good luck...I know how frustrating it can be...looking for the proverbial needle in the haystackHelpful Reply
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