Leak Wizard

[WalksnRuns]

I live in a three floor property. The third floor consists of living space and a door out to a small roof deck. Every once and a while we experience a small leak in the ceiling in the second floor (below the roof deck part of the third floor). I have already had two roofers out who have performed work, but the problem hasn't resolved. I have also had the door out to the roof deck replaced which reduced but did not resolve the problem.

1. Can anyone recommend a leak wizard (roofer or other contractor) to determine the source of this leak? Not sure if a roofer is the right person for the job since its unclear if the leak is in the roof under the deck or water is coming in around the door to the deck.

2. Can anyone recommend a contractor to fix the second floor ceiling once the leak has been found and remedied?

Thank you in advance. Happy Halloween

[LUCas]

Doors to roof decks are notorious for leaking. The issue is there's typically nothing protecting the door from the elements and since they are above ground level, when they leak you know about it. Also, since most doors to decks swing in, it's easier for water to get into the cracks, pool on the threshold and drip in. Another issue is the brick molding around it, if not treated properly, can get saturated and allow water penetration. Remedies are: replace with out swing door, add storm door, replace brick mold, and make sure all gaskets are new and in good condition forming a tight seal.

[WalksnRuns]

Doors to roof decks are notorious for leaking. The issue is there's typically nothing protecting the door from the elements and since they are above ground level, when they leak you know about it. Also, since most doors to decks swing in, it's easier for water to get into the cracks, pool on the threshold and drip in. Another issue is the brick molding around it, if not treated properly, can get saturated and allow water penetration. Remedies are: replace with out swing door, add storm door, replace brick mold, and make sure all gaskets are new and in good condition forming a tight seal.

LUCas, thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Not at all being handy myself, my guess is that I seek out some kind of contractor who does work on concrete (it's stucco) and installation of doors? I am also looking to get the french doors on the first floor of my home replaced, perhaps I will find someone who can handle both tasks.

[LUCas]

LUCas, thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Not at all being handy myself, my guess is that I seek out some kind of contractor who does work on concrete (it's stucco) and installation of doors? I am also looking to get the french doors on the first floor of my home replaced, perhaps I will find someone who can handle both tasks.

Any reputable handyman should be able to help you out with making sure the door is sealed properly (and replacing your French doors). Of course if that's not the source of the leak, that's another issue.

[stonefly]

I had a roof deck with a door that opened out (no screendoor). I was told by someone that the backwards install is a bad idea. We used to get water in when rain was hitting the door. We used to get water in around the edges of the door especially the bottom. We used to have to keep a large towel rolled up at the bottom of the door to absorb the water that got in. That stopped the water damage we were getting in the room below. I would replace the towel after each rain. Sometimes in long rain storms I would have to change the towel mid-storm.

You should try putting a towel at the base of your door next time we get a good rain. If the towel is wet then you know at least one source of the water.

[WalksnRuns]

You should try putting a towel at the base of your door next time we get a good rain. If the towel is wet then you know at least one source of the water.

Great idea, thanks for the feedback. I will also investigate the door frame for gapping or cracking where the frame meets the outside wall and maybe apply some sealant or caulk.

[qweezyq]

Great idea, thanks for the feedback. I will also investigate the door frame for gapping or cracking where the frame meets the outside wall and maybe apply some sealant or caulk.

I use my caulk to solve all problems.

[Reds]

I'm having the same issue with water entering my second-floor deck door and causing water damage to the first floor ceiling below. I know the issue is related to the door, as water only seems to collect when the rain is heavy enough and driving against the back of the house where the door is located. When the rain drives toward the front of the house, there's no evidence of water coming in. I've used the towel approach, but in some instances when the rain and wind are particularly heavy, the water comes in so quickly that the towel gets saturated fairly quickly and I still need to be vigilant to avoid the leakage below. Plus, while I always prepare in advance and leave a towel when rain is expected, obviously I can't always be home to switch it up as necessary.

Wondering if anyone has any experience or opinion on using an awning to help in situations like this. I've recently noticed doors on second and third floor decks around the city with awnings that seem to have a fairly steep angle--I'm guessing (hoping) they're specifically designed that way to protect against driving rain exposure. If that's a viable option, can anyone recommend an awning installation specialist, or is this the type of installation that can be done by a general contractor once you order the actual awning?

[Queen Villager]

We had a deck-door leak and it turned out to have a relatively easy fix. An expert suggested we add a storm door. The rubber strip or whatever it is on the bottom of the storm door sealed the under-door opening where water had entered. One storm door from a bog-box store, no more leak from the deck.