Housing Woes 11.21.2006 | 3 Comment(s)

I'm tentatively planning a trip to NYC in March...that is if I don't need a new roof. My roof started leaking (but only sometimes) and I'm not sure what's going on up there, and to be honest, I'm scared to find out. Why did I buy a house with a flat roof?

My 87 year old house has a way of wearing me down. There always seems to be a new, unexplained stain somewhere. The electricity buzzes and sizzles (my dad fixed that problem). The floor creaks in a new, unexpected way...a new crack wiggles across the ceiling. There are times I'm convinced the house is either haunted or getting ready to collapse. Sometimes I find myself wishing I'd purchased a new house because how can I afford to maintain such an old house? Would new construction really be any better? I'm contemplating marriage just so I can get hooked up with a second income.

If I need a new roof, my dream trip to NYC will have to be put off...but I'll be honest, the house is worth the sacrifice. It's mine...well, it's the bank's...and that feeling of ownership, of "home", really does make the cost of maintenance worth it...or at the very least, a bit more tolerable!

By  GO-GIRL, at 11:20 PM

i have asked myself the same question...why did i buy a house with a flat roof?!!! why didn't anyone warn me?!!! after putting on 3 hot tar roofs in relatively quick succession, we tried the rubber roofing material. it's more expensive (like 3 times as much!) but it has been soooo worth it! we've had this roof since 1990 and no problems. i would highly recommend it...it's also light grey in color so it's cooler in summer...an added bonus. good luck.

By  BC, at 9:49 AM

Thanks for the advice! The roof is only 5 years old, so I'm hoping it's a flashing problem or something...I'll definitely look into the rubber roof thing...don't know how I'll pay for it, but it sounds like a good option

By  dustin, at 2:50 PM

More than likely you DO NOT NEED A NEW ROOF. When you have a flat tire do you get a new car?

Here's what you do: get your ass up on a ladder and find out where the leak is. Just go to the hardware store and buy a gallon of roofing cement and a trowel. Open that baby up and slather it on every crack, popped nail, seam, and crevice. You might want wear gloves (it's basically tar) and buy some mineral spirits to clean up. This is a yearly ritual with a flat roof (I have 3 buildings with flat roofs). You get used to it.