[jacreid]

We are having a heavy rainstorm in Virginia. The molding above my glass door is leaking badly onto the floor . I don't know if it's because my gutters are full? The gutters in front of thee house are also leaking from the bottom and not draining properly. I cleaned the front gutters of leaves and debris with a brush before the storm.
I can take a picture to show the leak from the inside. I don't know if the threshold above the door on the outside is too slim for rain to come off and away from the door. I can take a picture of the outside tomorrow as well. Thanks in advance!

[ballengerb1]

If its above you door then rain is running down the side of your home above the door, is there a gutter there above the door, is it overflowing

[smoothy]

That was an unusually heavy rain partially wind driven, some places got almost 3 inches per hour. (went through my area too). I agree with ballengerb1, I'm also guessing this is stuff that hasn't leaked before.

[jacreid]

Hello BallengerB and Smoothy,Thanks so much for the comments. Sorry I didn't back to y'all earlier but I couldn't access this on my phone. The gutters did overflow as I didn't clean the gutters sufficiently before the storm. And yes to Smoothy's question: This has not happened before. I have lots of trees around my house and can't keep up when it has been raining and windy. I think I will need to get new gutters or gutter guards.Any recommendations? I've also seen the "flip gutters" which seems very practical.On the same theme - is there any concern with the water remaining in the walls? Should I be concerned with mild/mildew?Thanks and cheers!

[smoothy]

Sheetrock damage will remain... but mold is more of an issue with something that remains wet or damp for an extended period.. less with a one time occurrence.

I'll guess its going to dry up pretty quick. And what happened was a result of siding overlap... or flashing that was overwhelmed by the amount and force of the water. But has proven sufficient for everything lesser.

If this was the one and only time its happened in (just throwing this number out randomly) 30 years and it doesn't happen again... that's one thing... if it even happens every couple years then maybe you have a cause for concern... if it happens every rain or every couple rains... you most certainly have a cause for concern.

Like freaking out living in an area where you might be exposed to a once in a 100 year flood... vs living 5 feet above river level where it floods every time a dark cloud passes over the area.

If it doesn't dry up soon, and I do mean dry, not damp to the touch... then you have cause for concern.

[jacreid]

Thanks for taking the time to explain!

I think I will have to replace the flashing anyway as it doesn't seem that wide/sufficient and coupled with the major rainstorm, caused the leaks. It is sunny right now, so will check the area for dampness.

I have only lived in the house 7 months, but we went through the major snowstorm in Virginia OK - except for an ice dam that did cause a leak over a bay window (my fault for not clearing the leaves sufficiently inside the gutters above the window). However, NO leaks anywhere else in the house except for this time because of the deluge.

Again, appreciate the time spent to advise. Thank you.

Sheetrock damage will remain... but mold is more of an issue with something that remains wet or damp for an extended period.. less with a one time occurrence.

I'll guess its going to dry up pretty quick. And what happened was a result of siding overlap... or flashing that was overwhelmed by the amount and force of the water. But has proven sufficient for everything lesser.

If this was the one and only time its happened in (just throwing this number out randomly) 30 years and it doesn't happen again... that's one thing... if it even happens every couple years then maybe you have a cause for concern... if it happens every rain or every couple rains... you most certainly have a cause for concern.

Like freaking out living in an area where you might be exposed to a once in a 100 year flood... vs living 5 feet above river level where it floods every time a dark cloud passes over the area.

If it doesn't dry up soon, and I do mean dry, not damp to the touch... then you have cause for concern.

[smoothy]

CHeck your attic insulation before winter or it gets too hot... with the weather we have in Virginia... you shouldn't have ice dams... the only way to avoid leaks from those is prevent ice dams... or have a membrane put down at least the last 5 feet to the edge of the roof, but that one can only be done when reroofing.

I'm guessing your roof melts off fairly quick while your gutters don't... sure sign of insufficient insulation.

We can have 6 inches of snow, and it will be there for a week unmelted on my roof if temps stay below freezing.

[jacreid]

Thanks! Good point. The house is a 1963 rambler with original roof and shingles about 13-15 years old (reaching its end of year life). Since I can't do the membrane yet,I may have to blow insulation in or just nail sheets of insulation on theinside. The previous own remodeled the attic by adding a room with heat/ac vents. While I close the vents when I don't need to use the attic room for a long period, the heat leaking from the vents during the winter must have been sufficient to heat the rest of the attic more than usual to cause the snow to melt much quicker than the gutters.

I will definitely put more insulation in. Ahhh, the joys of home ownership! ;)
Thanks and cheers.

CHeck your attic insulation before winter or it gets too hot... with the weather we have in Virginia... you shouldn't have ice dams... the only way to avoid leaks from those is prevent ice dams... or have a membrane put down at least the last 5 feet to the edge of the roof, but that one can only be done when reroofing.

I'm guessing your roof melts off fairly quick while your gutters don't... sure sign of insufficient insulation.

We can have 6 inches of snow, and it will be there for a week unmelted on my roof if temps stay below freezing.

[smoothy]

I had 4 inches of blown in when I bought mine... its about the same age as yours. Now have R39 in mine... be careful as you MUST allow for airflow from the eaves pas the insulation.

Trust me.. attic insulation will pay for itself in a year or two if you do it yourself, a few years longer if you pay someone. But its well worth it.

For years my heating bill was 1/2 what a neighbor had in an identical house.

[jacreid]

Wow - that's really good. I will do research on how to do blown in myself or use the r39 sheets (that might be easier for me) I hope you don't mind if I pick your brain in the future on other home maintenance. I'm doing this by myself so all the sage wisdom from experienced homeowners help! (I assume one can email the userid in future posts?
Thanks again!

I had 4 inches of blown in when I bought mine... its about the same age as yours. Now have R39 in mine... be careful as you MUST allow for airflow from the eaves pas the insulation.

Trust me.. attic insulation will pay for itself in a year or two if you do it yourself, a few years longer if you pay someone. But its well worth it.

For years my heating bill was 1/2 what a neighbor had in an identical house.

[smoothy]

Best to keep the questions on the site. This way you will usually get multiple points of view (there isn't always one right answer) and others will learn as well.

[jacreid]

Thanks, I didn't meant to ask you questions off-line.. :)
Just wanted to ensure my questions on home improvement reached you since you seem so knowledgeable. This is a very cool site and I have already told a neighbor and colleagues about it.

Appreciate your time and advice!

Best to keep the questions on the site. This way you will usually get multiple points of view (there isn't always one right answer) and others will learn as well.

[smoothy]

I don't camp out all day anymore, but I do visit very frequently. Unless I am out of town for some reason.

[ma0641]

Thanks, I didn't meant to ask you questions off-line.. :)
Just wanted to ensure my questions on home improvement reached you since you seem so knowledgeable. This is a very cool site and I have already told a neighbor and colleagues about it.

Appreciate your time and advice!

A lot of experienced pros and DIY's here to help you. Post away!

[jacreid]

Thanks - this is a great site and wonderful resource.

A lot of experienced pros and DIY's here to help you. Post away!