Turret, bay and storm leak repair in Bloomingdale (20001)

Bloomingdale sits low compared with the ridge to the north, and the neighborhood has a long history of storm flooding at street level. On the roofs, the problem is volume. A typical rowhouse roof here drains through one rear scupper into a leader box and downspout sized decades ago. In a short, intense storm, that outlet backs up, water rises against the parapet and finds every gap in the base flashing.

We start storm-related visits by running water across the roof with a hose to watch where it goes. Low spots, a crushed leader box or a scupper half blocked by old patching usually explain the leak. Enlarging the scupper, setting a new leader head and adding a secondary overflow at the side wall gives the roof somewhere to send water when the main outlet is overwhelmed. Our drain and scupper repair page explains sizing and placement.

The conical and polygonal turret roofs that give Bloomingdale its look are often clad in slate, pressed metal or copper. Each one has a finial at the top and a curved transition at the base where it meets the flat roof. Both spots crack and open over time, and wind-driven rain gets in.

Curved roofs need small pieces, hand-bent flashing and patience. We remove loose slates or metal shingles near the failure, reflash the base with lead-coated copper and reset the finial on a new collar. When a turret cap needs full replacement, copper roofing formed in tapered panels is the long-lasting choice and suits the style of the block.

Street trees here are smaller than in Upper Northwest, but summer thunderstorms still bring down branches onto porch roofs and bay tops. After a storm, we tarp damaged areas the same day and document the damage with photos for insurance. If your adjuster needs a written scope, our insurance claim roof help covers what we provide.

Wind is the other storm hazard. Gusts that roll up from the south across the open ground around the McMillan reservoir site catch loose membrane edges and peel back metal drip trim at the front cornice. Once an edge lifts, the next storm gets under it. We refasten edge metal with a continuous cleat and seal the membrane to it so the roof holds as a single piece.

Most Bloomingdale roofs can handle ordinary rain. Preparing for the heavy summer storms is a short list of practical steps, and most of them cost far less than repairing ceiling plaster after a leak.

Our crew can do all of these during one visit, usually in a morning, working from the rear alley with a ladder and a small hoist. Many blocks between Rhode Island Avenue and Channing Street have alleys that fit a pickup.

• Clear the scupper, leader box and downspout, and run a hose through to confirm flow.
• Add a side-wall overflow scupper a couple of inches above the roof surface.
• Seal base flashing seams along the parapets and at turret and bay transitions.
• Check membrane edges and cornice trim for lifting after windy weeks.
• Look at the attic or top-floor ceiling right after a big storm for fresh spots.