Roof Flashing, Windows, Doors and Stucco: A Pre-Rain Check
Water finds the smallest opening. A calm afternoon is the time to look at the places it gets in: the roof edges, the openings in the walls and the joints between them.
A safe way to look
Do not climb onto a steep or wet roof to inspect it. Use binoculars from the ground, look from an upstairs window, or ask a qualified professional. Most of what matters is visible from below.
The roof and its edges
- Flashing. The metal at chimneys, skylights, walls and valleys keeps water out of joints. Look for lifted, rusted or open sections.
- Missing, cracked or lifted roofing. Note the spot and the date, and have it checked.
- Skylights. Check the surround for staining or cracked sealant, and the ceiling below for marks.
Windows and doors
- Sealant and weatherstripping. Look for gaps, cracks and compressed or missing strips.
- Thresholds. Check where the door sill meets the floor for staining or soft spots.
- Sliding doors and tracks. Make sure the drainage openings are clear.
Walls and penetrations
- Stucco and siding. Hairline cracks and open joints let water into the wall.
- Penetrations. Vents, pipes and cables through walls and roofs should be sealed.
- Interior clues. Stains, peeling paint, a musty smell or swollen trim near an opening suggest water is getting in.
Why it matters
The U.S. EPA's guidance on moisture in the home is plain that keeping water out of the building and fixing leaks quickly is the foundation of moisture control; see its brief guide to mold, moisture and your home.
When it is more than maintenance
Replacing a window, door or skylight is more than swapping a unit. The opening, the flashing and the finish around it decide whether it stays weathertight. We plan all three together as part of interior renovation. For drainage and the ground around the house, see our coastal maintenance plan, or request a visit.