Still leaking, or just drying out?

Phil4432

SO after 2 weeks, the roofer still wont come out to repair a one year old flat roof.  Had to pay a builder to do an emergency repair yesterday, will have to pay for the artex in the garage to come down also as its starting to peel away.

Just a quick question, would appreciate of someone could advise.  The part circled is still damp.  However, the other parts are now dry.  There has been light rain all night.  The circled part is close to the first area I noticed to be damp a couple of weeks ago.

Just drying out, or still leaking?  Cheers.

Bendy_House

I've touched my screen - it all feels dry to me.

Er, how can anyone give an answer?!

If your builder is confident that they've sorted the leak, then fingers crossed they have. There could be plenty residual water sitting up there, slowly making its way through.

Keep an eye on it, and if it becomes worse, then, well, youknow...

Phil4432

Well, no one can give accurate answers about many things online.  We can only get an idea.

How long would it take a wet wall to dry out, is what I'm getting at.  Should it really be dry overnight as most of it has in this case, or should a little bit of residual damp be expected for a while?

Bendy_House

There's a boxed section on the ceiling - any idea what that covers? It's also lower than the rest of the ceiling, so could be where much of the water has ended up.

That boxing, or any other part of the roof betwixt the leak and the visible damp patch, could be 'holding' water.

If the damp has permeated into a block, then that again will take longer to dry out, especially as no air is getting to it.

I would go on the basis that if it doesn't get worse, it'll likely get better, and fully dry out.

How long? I haven't a scooby.

Phil4432

Bendy_House said:

There's a boxed section on the ceiling - any idea what that covers? It's also lower than the rest of the ceiling, so could be where much of the water has ended up.

That boxing, or any other part of the roof betwixt the leak and the visible damp patch, could be 'holding' water.

If the damp has permeated into a block, then that again will take longer to dry out, especially as no air is getting to it.

I would go on the basis that if it doesn't get worse, it'll likely get better, and fully dry out.

How long? I haven't a scooby.

The roof has now been repaired, and with the dry weather the area in the above picture appears to be drying out.

In the garage the plasterboard was sodden so I had it, along with the artex, removed today.  Soaking underneath, glad its off.  The chipboard is still damp and a little soft in places.  With regular airing I'm hoping it will be ok.