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Leaking Copper Flashing or Water Penetrating Brick?

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brick penetration copper roof flashing
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13K views 14 replies 6 participants last post by  hammerlane  
C
#1 ·
I have a 10 year old brick face town house in Virginia. Hurricane came through last month and water started leaking from behind the crown molding above the bay window. Bay window has a copper roof.

Three roof companies say it needs to be replaced, flashing not done correctly, etc. This is the second time it has leaked but nothing like this. First time was during another driving rain a year ago, but it just developed a water spot on the ceiling in front of the window. Calking and seal around roof and flashing next to brick looks pretty tight.

After the hurricane, we had a week of solid rain and got 8 inches. However, not a drop came in the house above the window. I have been trying to recreate the problem, but can't make it leak again - spraying hose directly into roof, flashing, window, everywhere.

I'm not prepared to drop $2400 for a new copper roof (HOA requirement) if that's not the real issue. They all say flashing can't be repaired/replaced without damaging room. Could the brick have been saturated during he storm and started coming through? Would a brick water repellent be better?

Tough call now. Other thoughts from you guys? Thanks!
 
#4 ·
It is easier to open the ceiling/wall and re-drywall that re-do the roof.

These type roofs are notorious leakers, however, I have surveyed a couple of homes lately that had water issues via saturated bricks so it it not out of the question.

Pictures would help quite a bit.
 
J
#9 ·
Check your flashings, especislly above the curved stone header on the window above. Check your sill bricks to this window, remove a brick from the sill and check flashing. Are there any weep holes?. If any are missing or faulty, this sill needs to be redone after installing cavity flashing and weep holes. Check flashing to copper roof and how it's let into brickwork. Repoint as necessary and squeese exterior gap filler into brick joints (but not weep holes). More photos would help. Cheers!
 
#10 ·
Planning on water testing several of these in Richmond vicinity soon. A slew of them are leaking and initial inspections are indicating the sills above. One large complex has many and windless rains cause no leaks. A breeze, and all facing south, for instance will leak. No others. Kinda funny in a way since these building have courtyards, and everybody one the same side gets the same leaks. Next week, it's the other side.
Oh, and many of the leaks show up to the inside of the brick veneer.
 
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