roof leak advice

[andreadebiase]

I realize this cannot be diagnosed on the web and you would actually need to look at the roof but basically I discovered a very small leak on my tin roof after a 3 days downpour in MD last week. It rained so much that I am surprised it leaked so little. Anyways, this is a tin roof with a layer of black tar (i think). I don't know when is the last time it was re-tarred but i think is long time ago since I can see some metal exposed. My question is, is tar supposed to seal a roof from water and is it "normal" that it would start leaking if neglected? or, the fact that I have a leak implies that I have a more serious problem?

[Wgoodrich]

Tin roof is not normally tarred over. I would guess they had a problem with leaks from the tin and opted to install hot tar over the tin instead of strip and install new roof. Now you are stuck with the same decision. If only one leak you may be able to find the leak and use roof pitch for a fix that may last a few years. Problem is if this is a pitched roof with a strong angle the leak could be in the top of the roof, follor a rafter down to a change in teh rafter pitch and then drip down into the building. Leaks are often hard to find. I would go in the attic and look for a water track on the rafters in that area telling you the leak is elsewhere from where it appears inside.

Hope this helps

Wg

[andreadebiase]

The roof is a high pitch one unfortunately (if it was flat or nearly flat I would go myself but i don't feel confortable). Anyway, i looked and felt with my hand around the leak zone and it was dry except for that one spot.
Anyway, just to know, is it normal to walk on a tin roof or i am going to make a hole with my leg?? if i were to go up there shall i use my whole body and slide up slowly to distribute evenly my weight? the roof underrneath has long wood boards perpendicular to the rafters.

[AllanJ]

If the boards supporting the tin were sturdy enough to stand on prior to the installation of the tin and have not rotted, and there are no gaps greater than two inches, then it is safe to stand on the tin. Larger gaps mean that, if you per chance put your foot over a gap, the tin would bend. The tin would not break unless it had already suffered much possibly hard to see corrosion.

Don't go up there if you are the least bit uncomfortable. If the hole is small, perhaps at an exposed nail, and water does not collect there say from curled and cracked tar nearby, water entry will also be small.

Had it been a nearly level roof and you could easily get on and inspect it from above, you should be able to notice any and every crack or hole in the tar that could possibly be or become a leak.

Collecting (ponding) water is always undesirable and is a particular problem on "flat" roofs.