Within a couple of months of moving into a house, a couple started having water leaking from the light fixture on the edge of the sitting room off the kitchen. 

The builder came out and there was no issue in the roof near or over the area or light fixture.  They were puzzled.

Mighty Mo was called to the scene and saw residual moisture.

But the builder was right, there was no evidence above that the roof, or gutter, had an issue.

What nobody knew was that the water was also making its way into the floor below.

This was going to be fun!

HERE IS THE DIFFICULTY WITH WATER LEAKS.  THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK CAN BE FAR AWAY FROM WHERE IT FINALLY MANIFESTS.

So, if a leak isn't where you are looking, it must originate where you aren't looking!

That demands a tour!

Looking around inside I noticed a cathedral ceiling on the upper level.

With no evidence of moisture or staining.

But, it's a new house.  There might not be staining yet.  And the underside of the roof sheathing cannot be seen at that point, obviously.

Mighty Mo then detected residual moisture inside the ceiling, corner and going down the wall in that cathedral ceiling, far, far away!

That had to be the spot.

I think water flows downhill and given the configuration of the house it woulda, coulda AND shoulda have made its way from here two floors below and into that eating area.

What was outside right around that area?

A SATELLITE DISH!

Calling the dish company, they sent someone out to investigate and they did determine that the installation was not well done and could have caused a leak.

When they called the original installer, his response when they told him the dish was leaking into the house was, was, wait for it ...

"BUT I CAULKED IT!"

My recommendation:  those might just be the most famous last words in history!!  But I caulked it!




 

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia

www.jaymarinspect.com


 
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72 Comments on Famous Last Words - "But I Caulked It!"

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MAR
22
2012
1,913,058 Points 386 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jay, you are the sleuth!  And nice inspection for my clients today! 
7:43pm • #54
1,154,840 Points 86 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Jay, that home owner  or his insurance company will have a hard time getting reimbursed. Most installers are independent contractors do going after the company will be pointless unless it was one of those rare instances when the installer was from the provider.
8:32pm • #55
229,764 Points 1 Featured Post Called Shot Master

And that's why I never allowed my tenants to mount their satellite dishes on the roof. Don't punch holes in a perfectly good roof!
9:15pm • #56
1,118,503 Points 101 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

reason number 492 that I'll just stick with cable.   You gotta hate sorry workmanship on the part of the installer.
9:58pm • #57
MAR
23
2012
235,736 Points 10 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Hi Jay--my compliments to the master.  I don't see many professionals finding the source of the leak like you did in this instance. 
12:24am • #58
975,888 Points 351 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Joy - you would love this post of mine!

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2284563/gumming-up-the-works

It was great seeing you today Pat!  That house was normal.  I really like unknown sparks and leaks to investigate, but clients aren't so cool on that!  I met the seller beforehand and he is of the opinion that the house is perfect, so have fun with that!

Ed - you mean if there is a disaster?  I am sure that dish will last a couple of days, but all things weaken!  Leaks like this only get worse.  Right now I don't know if he would want to go for insurance repairs - that just dings people these days.

Tim - I often see them on posts or deck columns now.
2:46am • #59
975,888 Points 351 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Tammy - I see a few dishes in my neighborhood, but not many.

Thanks Janet.  I find this kind of thing fun!
2:47am • #60
670,111 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Morning Jay not wonder it didn't work they should have used duct tape.  That stuff really works.  Tired it on a tire puncture and away I went. :~)
3:15am • #61
1,336,766 Points 128 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

What a neat tool for detecting water. Tell us more about it.

More famous last words: '' It comes with a 100% waterproof guarantee." (as you are standing on squishy wet carpet)

Nicely done!

Margaret
3:37am • #62
975,888 Points 351 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

And with all the designer colors James, they might have found one to match the roof!
4:02am • #63
975,888 Points 351 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Margaret - I have posted many blogs about it!  Look up "thermal imaging inspections."
4:03am • #64
292,425 Points 20 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jay,

Same phenomena with dead flat tar and gravel roofs--can't tell where the hole is.  So Mightly Mo is a thermograpic camera?  Very handy!!
5:48pm • #65
975,888 Points 351 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks Lloyd.  Yes, that camera is the sharpest arrow in my quiver!
6:08pm • #66
805,327 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Jay - I never authorize the installation of satellite dishes on the roof.  I am not interested in roof leaks.
10:16pm • #67
MAR
24
2012
975,888 Points 351 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That would be a good policy Marc.  I think these installations can be rife with disaster, and certainly over time.
2:32am • #69
Outside Blog

Jay- I love infrared cameras. I can't understand why other professionals don't use them.
8:03pm • #70
548,545 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Jay, these type of situations cause the most grief by far.  Most people put a band-aid on and move on, not bothering to ensure they have found and addressed the root cause
8:44pm • #71
MAR
25
2012
975,888 Points 351 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

There are many trades that could benefit from them, and some inspectors are becoming equine experts with them Eric.

Chris - the manual says to caulk so they do.  And regardless of the job done, they think they have satisfied the requirements!
3:17am • #72
567,910 Points 140 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I really dislike those dishes. So many are installed poorly. Many times I have been in an attic and see the long screws the installers use sticking through the sheathing. Not one has been sunk into a rafter. How long before that creates a big hole when the wind rips that dish from the roof. 
6:19am • #73
975,888 Points 351 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Driving through neighborhoods I have seen those holes too Jim.  They should at least try to get two of the lags into a rafter.
4:43pm • #74

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Jay Markanich - N. Virginia Home Inspector

Bristow, VA

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Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC

Address: 12315 Sherborne Street, Bristow, VA, 20136

Office Phone: (703) 330-6388

Cell Phone: (703) 585-7560

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An experienced home inspector's look at current home inspection events and conditions along with his useful recommendations.


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