How to Fix a Leak Between Two Roofs

Find out how to use a garden hose to narrow down the location of a roof leak. Learn why the intersection between two roofs must be properly flashed, or the water will back up.

LESLIE: Tracy in Missouri, you’ve got The Money Pit. How can we help you today?

TRACY: I think I have water coming down my wall between – we have a room that used to be a breezeway, that was converted into a living room.

TOM: OK.

TRACY: And so, from that roof, there’s an awning for a little porch outside. And I’m just thinking that it’s leaking between the top roof and where it comes down to the awning roof.

TOM: So, when you saw awning roof, do you mean – you don’t mean awning as in a canvas awning? You mean like a regular shingle roof that’s intersecting with the higher-pitched roof. Is that correct?

TRACY: Mm-hmm.

TOM: The upper roof falls to the – what you’re calling the awning roof, in terms of the rainwater?

TRACY: Mm-hmm.

TOM: And the awning roof is below about – by the upper roof by about 4 inches. So that gap or that intersection between the two might be where the water is backing up. I suspect, based on your description, that that’s exactly what’s happening. What you suspect is happening in this intersection is happening because frankly, it’s a tough connection to make. It’s got to be properly constructed; it’s got to be properly flashed or the water can backup.

Has it always been this way or is it kind of just recent that you’re starting to see the leaks?

TRACY: That was an issue probably even before. Now, we did remove that awning and reapply it, which is probably not the best way. Because we just basically used a tractor to take that roof off and then put it back on.

TOM: You used a tractor to take the roof off? What did you do, tear the whole thing off?

TRACY: Yeah.

TOM: OK. Maybe you were a little too rough with those attachment points at that point in time, I don’t know. Well, look, there’s a problem between the two roofs. You’ve got to diagnose it. What I would suggest you do is get up there with a hose and let some water from a garden hose run down the upper roof to the lower roof. See if you can make it leak. And once you make it leak, you can find out – narrow down the area where the leak is actually happening, if it’s not visually obvious to you, and take it from there, OK?

TRACY: OK. Thank you.

TOM: You’re welcome. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.