Hi,
I own a home in a tract where all the homes have entrances on the 2nd floor, over the garage. EVERY house in the tract leaks from the entry porch into the garage below. Many of the houses have rebuilt their porches several times only to have the leaks persist. The first problem is that the porches slope slightly back towards the house. The second problem is that there is no overhang above the porch. I have waited patiently watching everyone else try to fix their porch before I waste money on mine. The houses are now about 20 years old and are located in the Los Angeles area. One individual appears to have met with some success by changing the slope away from the house. Another individual tells me that he thinks he has been successful by putting down a membrane under the "Mexican Pavers" which are on the surface of all of the porches. Unfortunately, he does not know exactly what his contractor used. I think I am ready to attempt a repair and would like to incorporate both solutions. Changing the slope does not appear to be a major problem. The problem now is finding out what the proper membrane is to use under the Pavers. I once saw a Bob Vila show where they used a membrane on a roof. After they put it down they claimed you could hammer a nail through it and then pull the nail out and the membrane would not leak. This sounds like it might be on the right track. Can you please suggest what kind of membrane to use and where to get it. If you have any other suggestions I would appreciate them.

Thank you,

This material is the same stuff that most dealers of garden pools sell as liners.I bought an 8'x8'piece a few years ago for about $100.00.Yes,I would imagine that if you could get a nail into it,it still wouldn't leak.A roofer told me that the life expectancy of this is unknown because there isn't anything naturally occuring that breaks it down.Try a pond dealer if you can't get some from a roofing contractor.

Thanks for your help Matches. Do you know what this membrane is called or who makes it? Is it a "Thermoset Membrane" or a "Thermoplastic Membrane" or something entirely different? Do you know if it can be used in the application I am talking about? Roofers haven't been any help but I'll try a pond shop.

Thanks

I don't know the name but it looks and feels like a thick inner tire tube.Your best bet is the garden pond supplier near you.Good Luck!

BakDoc: You might want to try a product that is used on mobile home roofs and travel trailer roofs. It is an Elastomeric membrane, flexible rubber, glued down. Try to locate a travel trailer sales place with parts dept. they should carry this. Just pulled the last tube of the patching cement we used on our TT, it's called Kool Seal. Have seen it at Lowe's. Made by Kool Seal, Inc. offices in Twinsburg OH, Clearwater FL, & Las Vegas NV they mfg. roof coating products. You might also look into the membrane that is normally used under the first few rows of shingles on a new roof in the colder areas of the country. Comes in 3' wide rolls, if you can get this install after you put new pitch away from the house. Start at the edge farthest away from the house, install left to right, each roll should overlap prior roll by 4". I would also lap the last roll a few inches onto the house, this way as rain runs off the house wall onto the deck if any gets under finish surface it will just run off. Hope I have been of some help. Post back with your final solution. Just checked, they have a web site, www.koolseal.com

[This message has been edited by PattyB (edited August 20, 2001).]

PattyB, Thanks. I will definately follow up and look into those products.