roof leak

[yanmars]

I have a gambrel(some call it a hip roof) "barn" with a shingle roof, a lean to with a standing rib metal roof that is attached. Never had any leaks until about a year ago I first had 5 inch D spoutings put on with similar downspouts running into underground pvc to carry the water away. Then added leaf guards to avoid climbing up to clean them in the Spring and Fall. Then added some snow guards so the leaf guards and spouting might not be damaged with a heavy snow. Each item done by a different contractor.
I am now getting significant water coming out of the under eave soffit, some coming down the inside of the lean to wall, much down the exterior of the wall. Can see the stains and drip marks. Also staining on the bottom of the soffit and spouting.
I thought perhaps the leaf guard did not permit enough water to enter and was backing up . Removed half of the same in the problem area but it did not help. I had removed all the staining to see if it would reoccur and it has. I have been on the roof. No holes or breaks that I can see anywhere. Slope is adequate. Really not sure what is causing it. Hate to remove the siding and soffit and spouting but may have to, to try to find the source of the leak. The spouting is continuous and almost 40 feet long.
The removal of the top of the exterior vinyl siding will not be easy. Called two of the contractors that did the roof and spouts. Paid them immediately upon completion of their work but neither will call back. I suspect since they know I have a leak they do not want any part of it.
My brother and I are capable of most repairs if I had a good idea of where to start. Thoughts are appreciated.
I had quality materials used, the roof was a 40 year shingle roof.
The underground PVC is not clogged and has guards inside to keep animals out. At the same time I had plastic field tile put in to remove any water around the building and it runs into a ravine but is protected from animals getting in and flows well.
Thanks

 

[bigtiller]

Gambrel and hip roofs are different.

 

[yanmars]

It is a gambrel but most people around here call it a hip for whatever reason.

 

[2manyrocks]

close up pictures? First guess is the water isnt entirely flowing into the gutters due to either lack of flashing or the way the gutters were installed.

 

[EddieWalker]

What is the flashing like under the metal roof and between the gutters?

The leak might be happening from the water splashing off of the gutters, or leaf guards, and bouncing back under the edge of the metal roofing.

 

[alexpops]

Having just had a new roof installed followed by new gutters & leaf guards, I would check a few things. First, how the gutters were attached. In mine, the gutters were slid up under the drip edge and screwed to the fascia with gasketed screws through brackets and sealant between the layers at the screw locations. If your gutters are spiked, the basic layering should be the same, but I don't know how the sealing is done around the spike holes. Basic water flow should be roof=>drip edge=>gutter.

Next thing to check is how the leaf guards are attached. 2 designs from what my research showed. #1 (better in my opinion) leaf guards are attached to the gutter itself, either with self-tappers or brackets, but the key being, any leakage from attachment just drops into gutter. #2 leaf guard is attached to roof itself (or at least extended up under 1st row of shingles between the starter strip and shingle). This second approach is prone to leaks if the shingles don't get sealed back down to the starter strip, or if (worse) the leaf guard attachment pierces/breaks the shingles allowing water to seep under instead of shedding over the shingles into the gutter. Can't help on snow guards since not needed in FL. Agree with 2manyrocks ... pics would be helpful.

Not sure what you mean by "inside wall of Lean-to", if it's the inside of the exterior wall (enclosed lean-to) the above could be culprits. If it's Barn wall where lean-to is attached, I'd check the flashing/underlayment/shingle overlap to see that water flows from Main roof to Lean-to roof with no ability to seep under metal roof at the transition.

 

[alexpops]

Any updates on your leak problem? Enquiring minds want to know.

 

[yanmars]

I had the spouting installer out. He could not find the source of the leak. I had the ability to cut a number of 8x12 access holes from the inside of the gambrel roof building to look inside the roof of the lean to. Expected to see some water stains but saw none. Plan to take a mirror to view above where it is hard for me see.
May have to get a camera of some sort to give a better view.
Better at this point than tearing into the roof or soffit. Hope I find the source, then I can find a cure.
The access holes were cut after he was there.

 

[chim]

Some pictures would be great!

 

[yanmars]

A friend has a camera he can install in sewer lines to check blockage etc. It may work to check my area for the leak. I can put it in a PVC pipe to slide it close to where I think the leak must originate.