DIY Network

Case of the Unwanted Houseguests Home inspector Tim Hockenberry is on the prowl to seek out and remove unwanted houseguests. From "Finders Fixers" episode DFFX-107

Homeowner Lisa Marsden is hearing noises in her house--loudest near the ceiling of her bedroom--that are keeping her up at night. She and her children have also seen little red, beady eyes peering up at them from under their deck; even the bathroom has been showing signs of invaders. Host and home inspector Tim Hockenberry finds that the Marsden family has unwanted houseguests, guests that need only a dime-size hole to take up residence in a home.

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Repairing a Roof Leak With Aluminum Flashing

Tim Hockenberry traces a water leak in the kitchen to a problem at a roofline joint, also one of the places where unwanted guests are entering the home; the backdoor guest entrance appears to be at the attic gable vent. He also determines that the beady eyes are likely from a nocturnal burrowing creature. Repairs include adding metal flashing to close the hole at the roofline and installing screening on a gable vent to close off that opening to intruders.

Materials:

tin snips
aluminum flashing
gloves
measuring tape
pencil
caulk gun

1. Flashing will need to be fabricated to seal the hole in the roof. Measurements are taken of the area to be patched (figure A).

2. Use tin snips to cut the flashing to size (figure B). Cut two pieces to fit together, if needed, in order to create counter flashing (figure C).

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

Note: Always wear gloves for safety when handling tin snips.

3. Slide the flashing underneath the shingles and position it flush against the roof (figure D).

4. Once the flashing is in position, use a caulk gun to hold it in place (figure E). Also run a bead of caulk in the back where the flashing meets the roof and underneath the shingles (figure F).

Figure D

Figure E

Figure F

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