Expert: Bruce E. Johnson - 6/9/2010

Question
QUESTION: I brought a house with a deck addition when there is hard rain the water from the deck addition rains in the basement when i looked up at the ceiling there is only insulation there what do u think.

ANSWER: Hi Shawna, you don't mention if the deck makes up the roof of the basement or the deck is next to the basement but at a higher elevation..If the deck is over this portion of the basement and it is leaking then the roofing under the deck needs to be fixed.  If the leak is between the deck and the basement then you need to fix the flashing that should be keeping the water out.  If you can give me more details I can comment further..sincerely bruce e johnson.

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QUESTION: Hi mr. johnson the deck is next to the basement like there is the porch and coming out from the porch is the deck added to it when ur in the basement and look up all i see is insulation under it is the deck I hope this helps me.

Answer
Hi again Shawna, I don't think the insulation has anything to do with the leaking.  Your ceiling is just unfinished.  But how the water is getting into the house is a different story.  You need someone to check the flashing between the deck and the house and caulk around all the bolts and nails used to attach the deck to the house. And caulking the joint where the deck meets the house.  I hope this information helps, feel free to write again regarding this or other matters, sincerely bruce e johnson