"Charles Spitzer" wrote in message
...

"jaynews" wrote in message
news:Cjmjf.285$Ia2.283@trndny05...
My condo had a new roof put on at the end of Sept. I found an active
leak around Oct. 8 They did a repair around Oct 18th (just over 6 weeks
ago) to the flashing of the powered roof vent. Problem is that some
spots of the sheathing that were wet when it originally leaked have, at
times, still been giving me excessive readings (as high as greater than
20% moisture content, highest reading) when I gently yet firmly touch the
SURFACE of the wood with the prongs of the Moisture Detector.

I was suspecting it still has a slow leak, because moisture levels seemed
to go up when it rained, but wanted to be 100% sure before I had the
roofer rip up the roof to do another repair. I have been taking moisture
readings, and wavering between thinking it's a leak versus just residual
moisture being affected by changes in temperature and humidity. The wood
was taking very long to dry out on it's own (sheathing faces the north)
and I found that temperature did cause fluctuations (the meter gave
higher readings when temperature got lower). I helped it dry with a hair
dryer. I had gotten it to dry out to the point where I was consistently
getting "dry" readings (under 14% at surface) when the outdoor
temperature was 50 ish with humidity in the 40s.

It rained yesterday, and the moisture readings at the problem area went
back to being as high as greater than 20%. Today (sunny and low 60s) the
moisture detector is still (as of 12pm) giving readings in the 15 to 20%
(or higher) range. I am sure that this would not be the case today if we
did not get wet weather yesterday. As much as I'd like to give the
roofer the benefit of the doubt, I am suspecting a slow leak.

QUESTION: Do I *definitely* still have a slow leak happening here? (or
is possible that the reason for the higher readings is that residual
moisture was still present and the wood only picked up extra moisture
yesterday strictly due to relative humidity levels being higher). In
other words, should I call the management company and insist I have a
slow leak and have the roofer come and rip up the roof and do another
repair?

Thanks,

J.

imho, i wouldn't expect that the rh would affect the moisture content of
wood that fast, so yes, i'd think you still have a leak.

And it's NOT? condensation of warmer air onto the cooler inner surface of
the roof?
Just a vague thought!