Objective Opinion Needed

[Liberalynn]

My sister and I co-own what used to be our parents house. Itis an old farm house built in the 1880's. I live here she doesn't.

The side flat roof which we had redone about ten years ago started to leak a bit last year.

Well I stayed at my sister's over the weekend. When she brought me home we found a huge puddle on the floor. The leak got a lot worse.

We contacted a roof repair guy recommended by a friend.My sister wanted it done ASAP because we are supposed to get six inches of snow then a rapid melting between tonight and Friday.

The guy came told me, whoever did the roof did it wrong, that it's not pitched right, that shingles shouldn't be used on a flat roof, that we would have to go through town for a permit and replace the whole thing which all will take at least a week or more.

I specifically told the guy about our concerns because of the storm, asked if there wasn't some sort of patch or temporary repair he could do to get us through the storm and he said there was nothing that would work as a temporary fix.

Now my sister's acting all ticked at me like it's my fault! What could I have done differently?

[lumberjack_jeff]

1. A well secured tarp will stop the damage until spring.

"the guy" doesn't make a living from temporary fixes, or homeowners who have the time to shop around, so it's unsurprising that he's not offering that idea.

Without knowing what you mean by "we had redone about ten years ago" I can't answer the last question.

[aikoaiko]

5. Tarp it. Used tires as weights.

[H2O Man]

6. Good answer.

[NCTraveler]

2. Flat roofs in Florida are a big thing and often leak.

They do sell a product for quick fixes just to get you by. It is in no way a permanent fix.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/GAF-Liberty-39-3-8-in-x-34-ft-White-SBS-Self-Adhering-Cap-Sheet-3732920/100031926?N=5yc1vZaqaa

Look for a product similar to this one. A qualified roofer should never have left you in this situation. Ever. They have similar products to this that will temporarily fix the problem. Even the temp fix will cost money. Better yet similar products can be used initially on a flat roof for the life of the roof. Once a major leak is there more needs to be done than just adding this. That being said it should get you through a quick fix.

If a roofer showed up to one of my properties and couldn't do a quick fix then they wouldn't be my roofer for very long. Understand, quick fixes are not free and on a flat roof will come with no warranty and won't last long.

[elleng]

3. Nothing probably, to answer your question.

Sorry your sister's acting all ticked. Maybe because she's frustrated she has no control, but instead of being helpful and/or commiserating with you, she's dumping it on you.

I know little/nothing about roofing, but sounds like guy who just came is honest, didn't b.s. you and say, Sure, I'll get right on it. You might get a 2d opinion, and at the same time, start working on the permitting process so something can be done in the foreseeable future.

Good luck.

[Hekate]

4. Well secured tarp or long plastic sheeting. We used something called Visqueen (sp?) for years...

....because of a poorly constructed side addition, while my husband considered what to do. He just replaced it every autumn before the rains. Finally we did have to hire a roofer to take the whole thing off and do it right.

I hope you get the answers you need here. The difference for us, of course, is that it never snows where we are, although the leakage from winter rains was a real problem.

Good luck to you.