How to fix leaking patio roof?

[Josh7]

Good morning, 

Attached you can see our patio gable (second photo). The first photo (with the blue line) shows where water is leaking when raining. 

Is there an easy, temporary fix for this? I am a pen pusher so anything practical takes me a lot of time as there's learning involved, and ideally I'd like to have it fixed for a function this weekend. The leaking water is clearly not going into the gutter but is running off somewhere on the roof. Could it be related to the valley? Assuming applying silicone underneath would be a rookie mistake as the water needs to go somewhere and will. 

[EricL]

Hello @Josh7 

My apologies for the late reply, I've been thinking about your problem for a while now and all I can suggest is to get a handy person to have a look and see what is causing the overflow into your fascia. You are absolutely correct in your analysis that the rain if blocked will flow somewhere else and this overflow could cause more damage. Perhaps there is just a blockage in your gutter that is causing it to overflow in that area? At this point all we can do is speculate and the only way to find out what is causing the overflow is to inspect it.

For the meantime if you truly want to address this leak temporarily, I suggest putting a Brutus 25 x 25 x 2.5mm x 2.4m Angle Building Moulding right where the leak is occurring and using duct tape to keep it in place. The plastic angle will act like a small gutter and guide the dripping water to the end. 

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @Josh7 

Agree with your temp fix mindset, but I would be inclined to get a plumber in and not a handy person unless it's an obvious easy repair. I am always of the opinion that any form of water leaks especially roofs needs to be resolved asap by someone qualified to do so.

As a side thought, how are the gutters looking, are they clean? If they are full of debris, mud and leaves, this could be causing overflow issues, which. handy person can resolve. This should be done regardless of the actual cause of the leak.

Nailbag

[Josh7]

Thanks Eric! That makes sense. 

[Josh7]

Thanks Nailbag. Yes gutters are free of debris. I'll give some thought to a plumber over a handyman. In the meantime, I'll give the temp solution a try.  

[Dave-1]

Morning @Josh7 

Mmmm I was also goingto suggest a look at the gutters, since they are clean I suggest looking at the downpipe and how well the water drains.

Get a stable ladder, hose (but stay on the ladder not the roof) and see if you can fill the gutter with water. If it drains away or causes a leak it may help determine which way the problem lies.

If it hasnt been a long term problem then think back to if anything has changed recently around your place, neighbours trees chopped down, its just hit Autumn so trees can shed a lot of leaves, that type of deal.

Dave

[Josh7]

Thank you for your time Dave. Where would I be without this online platform! Us non-trade guys really rely on it so much appreciated. 

[Dave-1]

Morning @Josh7 

I dont think it makes too much difference between a trades based knowledge and knowledge someone has learnt while doing a job/project, we all start from somewhere and there is no way to know everything I can remember having to use a power tool the first time, freaked me out for sure

Just so you never feel bad about having a go Here are some mistakes we have all made over the years  Mistakes with tools that we have done? Its definently worth a read and also its why wearing the correct PPE and "thinking" about a task before we even pick up a tool

Dave

[Josh7]

Awesome. Thanks Dave.