4

I could really use some professional advise here. I removed a piece of rotten trim I found while cleaning the gutters. The problem is pretty apparent in the photos with the gutter removed. Water followed the roof at the bottom of the rake and found its way in because there was really nothing stopping it.

How would a professional have avoided this???

I am not a carpenter and my best thought solution is not pretty. (continue the step flashing down to the end of the rake board, and cut a piece of trim to fit under it) this would leave about a half inch gap between the rake board and the flashing and would not be too pretty as you can imagine. That solution would carry the rain water over the end of the gutter also which I would like to avoid. You will also notice that a triangle piece of trim would just barely cover the opening at the top of the corner molding. (not good)

I don't trust myself to come up with the best solution here. Does anybody have some sound professional advise? pic1 pic2 enter image description here

Improve this question

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
5

The term to research is kick out flashing. It's used when a roof line butts up against a vertical surface near the edge. It sends the water away from the vertical edge into the gutter. Example:

enter image description here

Improve this answer
7
  • A useful addition, because it will divert a lot of the bulk water from the problem area, but not a comprehensive water management solution.
    – user23752
    Oct 30, 2014 at 17:41
  • @benrudgers IMHO, a 'professional' would never design a roof's slant to abut a vertical service in the first place. :)
    – DA01
    Oct 30, 2014 at 17:43
  • Most single family residential work in the US is not designed by licensed designed professionals. Among the projects which are, few retain the architect for construction observation. Among those, it is only a select few where the client will pay to have the architect spend enough time on site to have a reasonable chance to catch this sort of thing.
    – user23752
    Oct 30, 2014 at 17:52
  • @benrudgers I agree. We build a lot of ugly houses with impractical roof lines in this country. My favorite quote about how to tell if an architect designed a house was from a local architect we hired. He said "look at the roof line...if an architect designed the house, the roof is a major focus and was given though early in the process. If not, the entire roof is an afterthought of bizarre dormers and abutments."
    – DA01
    Oct 30, 2014 at 17:57
  • 1
    The project looks like an addition (or actually several). IMO, there's nothing magical about an architect designing a single family residence - many of the major US use architects on the front end of the development process. The issue is that homebuilding has its own traditions...e.g. this site...that place more value on crown molding than technical expertise.
    – user23752
    Oct 30, 2014 at 18:08
1

Doing it right requires avoiding back-laps. That means removing some of the intersecting fascia, all of the rake trim from the triangular area and some shingles because avoiding back-laps means starting from the bottom and working all the way to the top.

For the water management plane, I'd consider self-adhered flashings placing a first layer across all corners, counter-flashing with more of it, and then counter-flashing the whole layer with brake-metal fabrications followed by sealing all joints with a high quality sealant.

Again all working from bottom to top while making sure that water flows out, not in. The key to proper flashing is thinking about how water flows.

Improve this answer
1
  • And then you get to do the rest of the gutters, too.
    – Mazura
    Oct 30, 2014 at 18:37

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.