Q&A – Best Way to Fix Gap in Porch Roof

This Minnesota homeowner wanted a professional’s opinion on the best products to use to seal a gap between their house and porch roof. 

Trevor, a homeowner in Minnesota, found an unsealed gap between their house and porch roof and wanted recommendations on how to fix it. He asked: 

We just found a gap between our house and porch roof. The exterior of our house is stucco. When it rains sideways, we get some leaking in the porch. There are no soft spots on the roof so we think we just need to get the gap closed but would also like a professional opinion without paying an arm and a leg. What kind of products are best for sealing that sort of gap? 

Our resident expert roofer, John Stout with Go Roof Tune Up™, had this to say in response:    

We received your question and have examined your photos. All of the photos indicate a flashing deficiency. Without the ability to see how the flashing is installed, it is necessary to use a roofer tool to verify if flashing exists. Roofers use this special tool called a solid investigative probe (an old screwdriver) to verify the existing flashing. Having the right tools is why the roofer can charge an “arm and a leg.”  

One of the photos shows counter flashing. Your probe will show if flashing exists behind the counter flashing. If not, that could be the problem causing water intrusion in that area. It may require destructive investigation to determine how to correct. 

The other photos show a roof to wall intersection. It appears that the stucco joins the roof without proper counterflashing. Use your new tool (solid investigative probe), to determine if flashing exists behind the counterflashing, or if there is a counterflashing. There should be flashing at the wall as well as counterflashing (“Z” Bar) installed over the flashing.   

We hope that this information will help you to identify the problem. We wish you the best success in identifying and solving the problem. 

Your friends at AskARoofer. 

P.S. No one in this office will admit to naming the roofer tool. 

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