What To Do: Tricky Leaks On Patio Structures

Written By Kenneth Wilson  |  5 Comments

Water diversion is a common element of any screen enclosure or patio.  Usually screen enclosures and patio structures connect to the roof of a house or other building so water run off needs to be handled with gutters.  On solid roof structures, quite simply the roof needs to be water proof.

Common aluminum construction methods using, super gutters, rollform aluminum, or composite panels work quite well in handling the Florida rains.  Unfortunately, though, they can develop leaks, and leaks are not easy to troubleshoot.  In many cases the leaks originate in a totally different area then where they start.

no job number (3) Aluminum roofs: Leaks may occur at seams of roof panels, or near the connection to the house.  Leaks near the roof of the house are the most difficult to isolate.  Fascia, drip edge, roofing materials, connection type (size and pattern of bolts) all factor in to roof leak issues.
gutters

Pool Enclosure Structures: Leaks frequently occur near the connection pieces of the super gutter as a result of corrosion.   They are extremely common and usually nothing successful can be done about them short of replacing the entire structure.  The best method of prevention of these leaks is using a stainless steel screw or Blue-tap fastener at the connection which prevents corrosion.  Like roofs, leaks can occur near the host structure.

In many cases leaks near the host structure are often the result of roof issues on the house.  It is difficult to explain with text, but essentially water slips underneath of roof shingles or tiles at a highpoint on the roof and runs down the roof underneath of the shingles or tiles to where it connects with an aluminum roof or super gutter.  These issues usually go unnoticed until a patio structure is built.

So Where Do You Start troubleshooting The leak?

Since you’ve found this post, you probably have a patio structure with a leak.  Leaks, are difficult to pinpoint as mentioned above and even for the professionals.  You might think you have found the leak, fix it, only to find a new leak in a new location.   For this reason, many contractors won’t get involved with leaks as they represent too much of an unwarranted liability to their name and business reputation.  This can be quite frustrating for consumers (again you probably).

The good news is that there are companies who specialize in leak detection.  Yes leak detection companies.  They do nothing but pin-point leaks, and then for a further service change can specify what needs to be done to fix the leak.  They also refer you to contractor who will fix the leaks.  They typically charge a few hundred dollars, and while not cheap it is worth every penny to find a professional solution.  Finding a leak detection company is as simple as typing ‘leak detection’ into Google.  Many companies advertise for plumbing or pool leaks, but they all do roof leaks as well.


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About the Author

I can build it, and I can help you get the patio enclosure you want! I got my start in the Florida patio industry back in the 70s as a young general laborer looking for something to make a few bucks. At the time I never thought it would end up as my career. Over the years I grew beyond the laborer position, becoming a foreman, superintendent, and then into executive management for some of the largest patio contractors, and material vendors. Now into retirement and slightly bored, I offer consulting services to new and existing contractors, and publish this website to help the people who love their patio's and screen enclosures the most - YOU!

  • Water is entering from the peaks of the pool enclosure and running down inside the beams. Its leaving stains on my pool deck.

  • Generally every pool cage gets water in side the beams . You could try caulking and sealing the beams up at the very top, but it is nearly impossible to stop.

  • I have a new house with a steep tile roof over 6,000 sf with valleys that end right into the little 5″ super gutter the screen enclosure contractor installed over my patio and pool. The enclosure is flat on both ends for about 20 ft on each side, then vaults up to a 20″ gable peak. Needless to say we have torrents of rain overflow all along the outside and inside of these gutters. The contractor tried installing a 4′ diverter on one end – no help, and removing the (required) strapping brackets where the valleys dump, which now compromises the structural integrity and still water gushes over. I might add that everything is totally out of square and plumb, as they just could not measure to save their lives. My question is this – is there an official document somewhere that states WHEN you must use a 7″ super gutter? I’d like to point to an official document in my BBB complaint. BTW, the engineering dwg specifies 7″ super gutters, but some of the depictions show 5″ gutters, obviously a boiler plate generic dwg. I don’t see any gutter size spec in the city code for 160 mph winds here on the coast. Help!

  • We seem to have water getting in to the beams somehow and leaking into our home. We can see brown tinged water drops under the soffit. We have sealed all the way across the top and it only seemed to slow down the leaks. What is our next option? Can we seal all screws with a dealer of some sort?

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