So frustrated...darn home repairs!!

**Ponderer** · 11-22-2011, 09:49 AM

I suspect I have a leaking pipe flange boot or lifted flashing or something on one of my roof vent pipes. The first time it made itself known was last winter. I woke up to the sound of leaking water hitting the carpet in the corner of my master bedroom right by the bathroom wall. I looked in the crawl space and saw no moisture of anykind but I did see a pipe running along it and based on where the leak is I think my diagnosis is accurate. It only leaked the one time last year when we had really really heavy driving rain one day.

A year later I wake up to that sound again and sure enough...we have pouring rain and wind outside. I am in Washington State so we get lots of rain...but it has only leaked twice now when the rain was extremely heavy and the winds were blowing it sideways.

I am one of those women that can jump in and fix many many things...be it electrical, plumbing, some carpentry, etc. but I am not as young, thin or agile as I used to be...and I do not do roofs. Never have.

I do not have a brother, uncle, handyman friend I can call. Ugh...I hate this. What's a girl to do? Do I look for fancy schmancy ($$$) roofing company or do I look on Craigslist?

Arghhh...grumble grumble.

**Russ** · 11-22-2011, 09:52 AM

Talk to coworkers or friends and ask for recommendations for a good reputable roofing company.

**nodmicks** · 11-22-2011, 11:05 AM

Id ask for referrals from people you know or come in contact with often. I got the referral for the guy that did our windows and doors from our veterinarians assistant. That referral of a small 3 guy company saved me tons!

**frugalfranny** · 11-22-2011, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by Ponderer

Do I look for fancy schmancy ($$$) roofing company or do I look on Craigslist?

Arghhh...grumble grumble.

Like others said.........ask friends for names........

but I would be very careful of CL for home repairs. Often the people aren't licensed that advertise on there..........EVEN if they list some 'sort of number' that might make you think they are......

I would also get about three estimates.......AT LEAST!!

Looks like I might be doing the same thing.........I must have gotten the same storm..........

I went outside today and with
our FIFTY MILE AN HOUR WIND GUSTS (sustained at 30)........I found part of a shingle in my front yard!!!

Hope mine makes it to summertime.........new roof time!

**Beejay** · 11-25-2011, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by Ponderer

I suspect I have a leaking pipe flange boot or lifted flashing or something on one of my roof vent pipes. The first time it made itself known was last winter. I woke up to the sound of leaking water hitting the carpet in the corner of my master bedroom right by the bathroom wall. I looked in the crawl space and saw no moisture of anykind but I did see a pipe running along it and based on where the leak is I think my diagnosis is accurate. It only leaked the one time last year when we had really really heavy driving rain one day.

A year later I wake up to that sound again and sure enough...we have pouring rain and wind outside. I am in Washington State so we get lots of rain...but it has only leaked twice now when the rain was extremely heavy and the winds were blowing it sideways.

I am one of those women that can jump in and fix many many things...be it electrical, plumbing, some carpentry, etc. but I am not as young, thin or agile as I used to be...and I do not do roofs. Never have.

I do not have a brother, uncle, handyman friend I can call. Ugh...I hate this. What's a girl to do? Do I look for fancy schmancy ($$$) roofing company or do I look on Craigslist?

Arghhh...grumble grumble.

I had the exact same problem last fall !! My brother (my jack of all trades handyman ) took a can of the expanding foam sealant and sprayed around the vent pipe and boot where it was cracked. When it dried, he trimmed away the excess hardened foam and spray painted it black to match the rest of the rubber boot. PROBLEM SOLVED !! No more leakage. This was a very cheap fix for a potentially expensive problem. He was satisfied with the $50.00 that I paid him. You might look in the classified section of your local newspaper for ads under Business and Services Directory. There will be ads for people looking for odd jobs and handyman work. Good Luck !

**Debbie-cat** · 11-25-2011, 10:55 PM

Be wary of people that advertise home repair on craigslist. A scam going around here is they will come and start the job, then hurt themselves ON PURPOSE and then turn around and sue your insurance company. It's a big racket so please be careful! Good luck!

**Ponderer** · 11-25-2011, 11:36 PM

All is well and repair is done. As I suspected it was a cracked area where the flashing piece goes over the pipe. I had 2 replaced by a local roof company.

I have actually used various people and companies from craigslist with no problems. If it is something that warrants being licensed and bonded that is the only type of company I will hire and I have the necessary website to verify licenses are current and such. There are many real companies that advertise on craigslist too, not just private individuals.

Thanks all. :-)