Just bought a house and during the bidding process, the seller disclosed to me that the roof leaks, near the front door, when it rains very hard and is windy. Building inspection could find no obvious reasons for a leak and he suggested it was the result of ice damming due to inadequate soffit vents. But, that didn't explain the leak during heavy rains/winds.
I finally closed and Sunday, I spent soaking the roof with a hose. I did it in three zones: eaves to mid roof, mid roof, and mid roof to peak.
The upstairs is unfinished so, after soaking and waiting for half an hour, I could go check out what was going on up there.
I never saw a drop of water, EXCEPT when I shot the ridge vents with water, sideways, to simulate a wind-blown rain.
From the inside, I could see water on the undersides of the ridge vents and I found one bay that has mold and rusty/staples in it that correspond to the water damage observed near the entrance of the house.
So, I think I've diagnosed the problem as being ridge vents that don't withstand the sideways rain.
Anyone have any recommendations for fixes?
I may be on my own cuz local contractors are essentially booked until January.
Thanks all.
Sam