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Rubber Roof Leaks when snow and water builds up

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Rubber Roof Leaks when snow and water builds up CJ 06-20-2007
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Posted by CJ on June 20, 2007, 12:35 pm
I have a flat rubber roof that leaks very badly when it snows and then
rains. It happened twice this year during two storms between Feb and
March. The weight of the snow and rain somehow must pull the rubber
away from where it should cover the roof from the outside elements.
When it rains hard it never leaks.

There is a vent pipe and a square opening with cover (to gain access)
near the leak.

Any ideas on what to do?

CP


Real Goods Solar, Inc.
Posted by EXT on June 20, 2007, 12:56 pm
To pull the rubber roof, something must be sagging from the weight. You may
want to check the framing to see if it needs beefing up. Only other thing
could be contraction from the cold but I can't imagine it would contract
that much if properly installed.

>I have a flat rubber roof that leaks very badly when it snows and then
> rains. It happened twice this year during two storms between Feb and
> March. The weight of the snow and rain somehow must pull the rubber
> away from where it should cover the roof from the outside elements.
> When it rains hard it never leaks.
>
> There is a vent pipe and a square opening with cover (to gain access)
> near the leak.
>
> Any ideas on what to do?
>
> CP
>



Posted by tom on June 20, 2007, 1:00 pm
> I have a flat rubber roof that leaks very badly when it snows and then
> rains. It happened twice this year during two storms between Feb and
> March. The weight of the snow and rain somehow must pull the rubber
> away from where it should cover the roof from the outside elements.
> When it rains hard it never leaks.
>
> There is a vent pipe and a square opening with cover (to gain access)
> near the leak.
>
> Any ideas on what to do?
>
> CP

You could go up there and inspect each seam and flashing yourself. If
you find some loose spots, you could clean them (thoroughly) and apply
rubber or contact cement. Or call a roofer who's experienced with
rubber roofs. I'm betting it's one of the protrusions giving you
trouble. Start looking there. Tom


Posted by Bob (but not THAT Bob) on June 21, 2007, 12:35 am
CJ wrote:
>
> I have a flat rubber roof that leaks very badly when it snows and then
> rains. It happened twice this year during two storms between Feb and
> March. The weight of the snow and rain somehow must pull the rubber
> away from where it should cover the roof from the outside elements.
> When it rains hard it never leaks.
>
> There is a vent pipe and a square opening with cover (to gain access)
> near the leak.
>
> Any ideas on what to do?
>
> CP

I'd guess it's the square access hole where the problem is located.

The membrane had to be cut and patched to create a curb, and since
melting snow is higher than rain alone, it's leaking at a particular
level.

Take a look here:

http://www.watertighttech.com/products/roofing/installation/manual/print_full.htm

This manual shows how it should have been done, so you'll be able to see
what's required to fix it.

Patches, adhesive and such are all available locally, and DIY is easy.

Remember, if a roofer can do it, it sure ain't rocket science.

Posted by on June 21, 2007, 12:44 am
kitsaras@hotmail.com says...
> I have a flat rubber roof that leaks very badly when it snows and then
> rains. It happened twice this year during two storms between Feb and
> March. The weight of the snow and rain somehow must pull the rubber
> away from where it should cover the roof from the outside elements.
> When it rains hard it never leaks.

I'm guessing the leak is always there, but when it just rains, the water
ponds lower than the leak and runs away.

When the snow builds up, it elevates the backed-up water so it reaches
the leak. Could even be going over the top of the rubber where it runs
up on the penetrations.

--
josh@phred.org is Joshua Putnam
<http://www.phred.org/~josh/>
Updated Infrared Photography Gallery:
<http://www.phred.org/~josh/photo/ir.html>

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