You might think of the song by Heart after reading the title, but this post has little to do with kick ass rock and roll. This is more a tale of the blues.
Roofs, every home has one. Without a roof you would have a big skylight…that let’s in all the elements. So the roof is very important. What is also important with the roof are the flashing details. It is often said the devil is in the details. I couldn’t agree more.
What often separates good work from great? The minute details, the care, the knowledge that someone took to add distinct and vital finishing touches to their work. That is the devil, because doing a great job takes extra effort to ignore the imp who says, “Good enough”. If there is one flashing detail above all others that I see missing it is the kick out flashing. This detail belongs at the end of a roof and siding seam. Its purpose is to deflect the water that is running down the roof and direct into the gutter and away from the house and siding. Apparently not many roofers feel this is an important detail judging by the amount of times I see it missing.
Recently I was contacted by a homeowner who has had catastrophic water infiltration to his townhouse condo. Water has poured into his unit in every room and his finished basement. Much of the damage has been repaired. During the course of repairs, it was quite apparent this has been a long occurring problem. Over time the poor flashing details slowly leaked, becoming worse with time until the dam literally broke. One of the worst areas as described by this unfortunate soul was along the side of the house below a gutter. Exactly where a kick out flashing should have been installed.
As I said there have been repairs made. Here is the repair to the gutter and siding along the wall that just leaked again a week ago. Notice the shiny stuff above the gutter on the siding and also to the left, that’s clear caulk, the universal fix for every leak.
AND IT DOESN’T WORK!
What works is installing the finishing detail to the wall, the kick out flashing. One other thing to notice here, the gutter is clogged with leaves. This is the point where the down spout is attached. The water here has to be tremendous and now it can not flow out of the gutter. Talk about adding insult to injury.
My advice is to kick out the repair man with the tube of caulk and call in a someone who knows how to kick it out.
James Quarello
Connecticut Home Inspector
2010 - 2011 SNEC-ASHI President
NRSB #8SS0022
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC
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