Rust never sleeps

Today’s leak surprise was in New Westminster when we found a gooseneck roof vent on a tar and gravel roof that had been sitting in water for many years. Now this roof had settled quite a bit and the roof drains were all around the outside edge so we knew it was going to hold a bit of water but the water line showed us it was about 2″ deep! It was the only protrusion around the leak area and the rust around the base was noticeable. Well maybe not noticeable…. how about SEVERE. The erosion power of that water level rising and falling on the galvanized metal was intense. Once we got the roof dry enough for me to inspect the base of the vent it was obvious. Just the attempt of scraping off the loose rust caused it to crumble even more. Now I know why my fingers shrivel-up the way they do when I stay too long in the bathtub.