Tip of the Month

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November 2009

Test your leak diagnostic skills

Question 1. If a leak shows up on the 1st floor ceiling after a rainfall, but does not appear anywhere on the 2nd floor above, what condition would allow such to occur? Question 2. If a chimney leaks when 1/2-inch of rainfall occurs over a 24 hour period, but the chimney doesn't leak when 4-inches of rainfall occurs in an hour, what condition is most likely attibuting to the leakage? Question 3. If wetness appears around can lights and cold air return registers in the winter, but does not appear to be active any other time of the year, what condition is most likely to be causing this? Answer 1. Leakage is most likely due to a leaky plumbing vent pipe joint within the interior of the home that is no longer water tight. When it rains, water typically enters the mouth of vent pipes above the roofline and this water will flow through the vent pipes and end up exiting the house into the sewer. However, when a pipe fitting within the interior of the home is not water tight, water can seep from the leaky fitting. This is virtually the only way leakage will appear on a 1st floor ceiling after a rainfall and not appear anywhere on the floor above. Answer 2. When leakage appears around a chimney only after long periods of rainfall, it is typically due to the chimney stack becoming so saturated that water is basically "wicking" into the home through the chimney stack. Answer 3. Wetness appearing around can lights and cold air returns in the winter is most often a result of "condensation". As outside temperatures fall and the interior living space becomes more moisture laden, condensation problems become much more prevalent. The preceding were just a few examples of common leak conditions we routinely encounter. During our 42+ years in the roofing business, we have gained an immense amount of experience. So let us share our knowledge by helping you solve any roof leak problem you may have. Rest assured, any repairs we perform will be performed according to accepted industry standards of installation & not some jury rig type repair. Best of all, you will find we provide our exceptional services at quite fair and reasonable prices.