Uh oh, roof leak after roof cleaning...

gks72

gks72

New member
Cleaned a roof and washed a house for a gentleman last Tuesday. I get a call Friday that his wife has noticed water marks on the living room ceiling. :crying:

Made arrangements to examine the interior to find the "end" of the issue. Go up on the roof and instantly noticed the source of the leak...

1/2" gap in the two pieces of ridge vent, open for the wind to let the water flow in and down the roof truss. 6 other joints in ridgevents on this roof were open enough for rain to find its way in.

I guess its a good thing I've grown up on roofs, kinda know where to look first...at the top.
 
That really sucks when you get that call and you know it's not you, but now you have to prove it. I am glad you found the problem easily Gary. We try to inspect roofs for that kind of stuff before we clean them, but some are too dangerous to send anyone up on when it is not our primary function of being on the job. If you don't already I highly suggest you look at any metal ridge vents for exposed nails before roof cleaning. Many times metal ridge vents will have never had tar applied to all the exposed nails and will already be popping up and causing leaks. The motto seems to be for the homeowner that the last guy on the roof must be the one to blame. We also had one recently that had unfinished exposed holes at the ridges on the returns. We were able to show pics to the homeowner and they had it repaired.
 
the biggest pain sometimes is when the original roofer doesn't buy the joint straps or join them mechanically.

no worries however, still no leaks from cleaning.
 
Sunshine said:
How does that work though? Did any cleaning solution or water get in from your wash? If it did, are you off the hook because of the problem?

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

The source of the leak was pre-exsisting, the ridgevent was caulked numerous times and being black in color and highly suseptable to expansion in the summer sun, it made for an easy find. After seeing the 'mark' inside I knew I was not to blame, I was there once and there were multiple rings.

After checking and remedying all the other joints in the ridgevent I was asked what my bill was...:no: nothing, his confidence in my work was payment enough.

as far as shooting from the gutter...:stop: I don't debate roof cleaning techniques, my method is proven and works for my business model.

The main point I hoped to make was to be prepared for that inevitable call and know how to cover your rear.
 
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