Replies

1. 
   donk123 | Oct 10, 2005 02:58pm | #1

   You have two layers of shingles; understood.

   3 tabs or architecturals? How old are they? What kind of shape are they in?

   Are you talking about a roof leak from a perferation (like a tree branch fell on it) or a flashing leak from a chimney? Is it a missing shingle? Or is the roof just old and shot? Remember these things don't last forever.  <LOL>

   The point that you see the water entering the building may not be the same place it's getting into the roof. Often, the leak starts up above and the water runs some distance before it actually finds a spot to get under the paper, etc. (Sounds like you may already know that.)

   Don K.

    

    

1. 
   emaxxman | Oct 10, 2005 08:38pm | #3

   It's standard 3 tab. The shingles are between 5 and 15 years old...that's all I know. I've been in the house 5 years and the previous owners were in it for 10. They put, at least the second set, on.The pt where the water is dripping in is definitely lower than where the leak is because it's at the bottom of a wet panel but two whole panels are wet. The leak is also in the middle of the surface area. There was no damage due to a fallen branch or anything like that. In the garage, there are ceiling joists running across the span of the room. The previous owner put plywood above the joists for storage. I took one plywood sheet down where the leak is. given that an area of about 8x12 is wet, it appears that there is just a failure of the shingles. I guess the question now is whether I should just do a complete tear off of the shingles and reshingle it. That I can do...like I said, I've never had to just fix a small section.

1. 
   JeffSmallwood | Oct 10, 2005 09:09pm | #5

   Is there anyway you could snap/post a picture of the side of the roof that's leaking? You'd get a pretty definitive answer on replace/fix if we're able to see it.

1. 
   emaxxman | Oct 11, 2005 03:00am | #10

   Unfortunately, I don't have a or have access to a digital camera.Basically, if you look at the underside of the roof, you'll see your standard plywood with the nails coming thru. What you see is 2 sheets of ply that are completely wet and/or water stained. There is no visible hole even upon close inspection. There is no visible damage to the exterior of the roof either although I haven't actually gotten on the roof for a close look. I did get on a ladder and viewed it from a distance...roof was too wet and slippery for me to chance walking on. I think this is just a matter of the shingles getting old, really taking a beating from this summer's brutal heat wave, and then the hard rain this past weekend.

1. 
   donk123 | Oct 11, 2005 03:37am | #12

   I don't know why, but the first time that I read your post, I thought  -  "This guy needs a new roof." The answers to the questions just kind of confirm my gut feeling. If the prior owners told you that they put the roof on while they were there, I'm going to guess it was in the early part of their tenure, the shingles are getting old and aren't shedding water the way they should. When a roof starts letting in the kind of volume that you are talking about, that is not a good sign.

   To be sure, get someone that can take a look at it who knows. I'll be surprised if you aren't about to learn how to strip shingles and renail...I wouldn't just cover it with the goop unless you don't have time/funds to do it right. It will look somewhat ugly, and frankly, for a few bucks in material, a trip to the dump with the shingles and a little effort, the job could be done properly. (By the way - if the house roof was done at the same time, you better start thinking about that one too.)

   Don

2. 
   emaxxman | Oct 11, 2005 03:40am | #13

   I'm thinking the same thing. There's a roofer about a block away from me. I'm going to be calling him tomorrow (closed today for Columbus day) to see what the roof would cost. Sucks!!! Just finished paying someone to refinish my floors and paying for new furniture. Wasn't looking to deal with such a big cost before the holidays. Oh well, that's how life goes sometimes.

2. 
   DanH | Oct 10, 2005 10:49pm | #6

   If appearance isn't an issue, I'd suggest just coating the offending area with an "elastomeric roof coating". Ugly as sin, but will keep it happy for another 3-4 years.
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2. 
   DanH | Oct 10, 2005 07:03pm | #2

   Find yourself a "shingle thief" and learn how to use it.

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1. 
   emaxxman | Oct 10, 2005 08:38pm | #4

   You'll have to help me out here...what's a shingle thief?

1. 
   DanH | Oct 10, 2005 11:02pm | #7

   I'm amazed that Google doesn't find anything for "shingle thief" (at least nothing worthwhile). Apparently "shingle ripper" is at least one alternative name it goes by:http://hand-tools.gillroys.com/Nails_tacks_and_staples/Nail_pullers/Shingle_Ripper-s332933.html
   http://www.coastaltool.com/cgi-bin/SoftCart.exe/hand_tools/dasco_pro/shingle_ripper.htm?E+coastest
   http://www.tools-plus.com/das640.html
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   No electrons were harmed in the making of this post.

3. 
   Shep | Oct 11, 2005 01:27am | #8

   where in Jersey are you? If you're close, I'll come over and try to scope things out for you.

   If not, first look for obvious things- a tree branch punching a hole in the roof; a nail worked its way back thru the shingles; stuff like that.

   Two layers will make it more difficult to pinpoint the leak.

1. 
   emaxxman | Oct 11, 2005 02:56am | #9

   I'm in Hackettstown. Not quite central NJ but still a good ride depending where you are.No tree branch issues. There are no trees close enough to do damage unless the whole tree comes down.

1. 
   Shep | Oct 11, 2005 03:05am | #11

   I'm in South Plainfield- you're a little to far to be convenient

   I could come up, but with my current workload its going to be a week or two before I can get there

   its starting to sound like you'd be better off just replacing the roof, tho.