Porch roof

[czechsonofagun]

On the back of the house, there is a covered porch - the south kind with netting for windows - and the roof leaks. Period. It has only felt paper on top with seams tarped over but no matter what I do it leaks sooner or later again.

The problem is the slope, 12" over 10' span is way too low for the roofing. I measured it yesterday and checked tables and there is no way I can get the needed pitch without going to some extensive structural changes.

Shingles are 4:12 minimum pitch, MasterRib is 3:12 - it still means either going down 30" on the end of the porch or going up the roof - did I mention it is a one story house? - with the top of the porch roof.

Ideas, suggestions? I am thinking about doing a membrane now - like ice/water shield and shingles over it.

What do you think?

 

[Pipestone Kid]

You have several options. 1. rubber roof. 2. Conklin Products has a product called Rapid Roof. It is a nylon cloth that is stapled down and the a two coat process (first coat is a primer) of a liquid rubber. Great stuff! There are similar products out there, but I am not familiar with them and how well they hold up. I have used Rapid Roof and will swear by it. HTH

 

[radioman]

I am sorry- I am not sure of what material you are referring to exactly for the roof?

My rental house has a same low sloping roof as yours and I use the half lap mineral sheeting roll. I use the roll roofing adhesive on top half and glue them together. Havent had a leak yet, but I have to redo it every 10 years if I use the 15 lb paper due to sun and snow wearing away. You stated is on south side so a 30 lbs is needed.

 

[smstonypoint]

You may want to check out other metal roofing products. I think others may have lower limits on their recommended roof pitches. I have no direct experience with rubber roofing products, but I suspect that they involve more maintenance than metal roofs. Another advantage of a metal roof -- the sound of rain.

Steve

 

[czechsonofagun]

Thank you guys!

The sound of rain for metal roof is definitely a consideration

The problem with metal roof and low pitch is the standing seam that has to be done on the roof, I don't have experience with it and can't afford to pay for the work.

 

[brin]

Thank you guys!

The sound of rain for metal roof is definitely a consideration

The problem with metal roof and low pitch is the standing seam that has to be done on the roof, I don't have experience with it and can't afford to pay for the work.

I agree with the previous poster...Look into Asphalt roll roofing...easy to put down and you use an adhesive between runs and you should not have any leaks...inexpensive and lasts a good long time.

 

[rtimgray]

We had a similar situation on a rental house. The only difference was at one point the porch was converted into a couple of bedrooms, so the leaks were a bit more consequential. For many years, we used the roll-roofing product. We usually only got about 5-7 years out of it before it started leaking again, but it wasn't a big deal to replace (which is one advantage of a low-slope roof - easy to stand and work on). We eventually did a structural remodel to the house and raised the pitch of the roof were able to use normal shingles.

If it were me, for a porch roof, I would go with the roll-roofing.

 

[TnWV]

I had the same problem with my porch roof. I shingled it and it leaked everywhere due to not enough pitch. Roll roofing was my solution. The stuff is cheap and very easy to install in no time. I nailed the top, overlapped the next run about 4 inches, and used a beam of asphalt caulk to lock down the overlap. I tucked the final row under the the layer of shingles where the porch roof meets the house roof. This was over 5 years ago and no leaks since. It may not look the best from above,but no one ever sees it anyway. If you don't want the expense of metal, roll roofing, IMHO, may be your best option.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

google
- flat roof options
- flat roofing membrane


and you have lots of options available to you. A rubberized membrane is the way I would go give what you say above.

no need to change the slope just use the right products and you should be good to go....

 

[smstonypoint]

Thank you guys!

The sound of rain for metal roof is definitely a consideration

The problem with metal roof and low pitch is the standing seam that has to be done on the roof, I don't have experience with it and can't afford to pay for the work.

Prokop,

I have no experience with this metal product -- Benton Metal Depot - Investment Grade Roofing, Residential Metal Roof, Metal Roofing Contractor, Metal Roofs, Aluminum Roofing, Steel Roofing, Aluminum Roof, but the site claims it can be used with a minimum 1:12 pitch even though it is not a standing seam product. I'm not trying to argue that you should go for a metal roof, just trying to give you an alternative that might be worth exploring.

Steve