I had my house built almost 3 years ago, and I have a dormer window in an upstairs bedroom that features a flat roof with zinc cladding. Twice since moving in, I've noticed a tiny leak on the interior ceiling where the flat roof intersects with a 45-degree shingled roof. The first leak happened during a heavy storm 18 months ago, with about 50ml of water dripping through a crack. Although the contractor came to make some repairs, I'm not sure what was done, but it involved lifting shingles and adjusting the membrane below. Just last week, another leak occurred during another storm, but this time it was even less—only about 10 drops before it stopped. Since it rains a lot in my area, especially during heavy storms when water can be blown upwards into the gap, I'm wondering if I should live with this issue or try to fix it myself, especially since getting the original contractor back is unlikely due to a lack of available tradespeople in my region.
2 Answers
You definitely want to address this issue! Water leaks can worsen over time and lead to more serious damage. Even if it's just a little leak now, it can turn into a bigger problem later, and the repair costs can skyrocket. It might be tempting to ignore it since it's infrequent, but trust me—it’s easier and cheaper to fix it now while you can still manage it yourself.
Always best to fix any water issue, no matter how minor it seems! Small leaks often signify bigger issues lurking that you'll regret ignoring. Plus, with your area’s rainy weather, you don't want to risk more leaks down the road. Since it's DIY territory for you, it could save you a lot of hassle later if you tackle this head-on now.
Exactly! For every drop you see, there’s probably a lot more moisture hiding between the roof and the ceiling. If it’s getting through a membrane, that wetness can remain for quite a while and cause even more damage.