Small but irritating roof leak - ideas? or inexpensive roofing guy recommendations?
 

Home is a post-war bungalow - ie 60+ years.
Having trouble tracing the source of a leak that usually only happens with heavy rain, like tonight... It doesn't happen all the time though, which makes it hard to find. I don't see any leaks dripping from the roof interior.

Attempted remedies:
1) our gutters were quite full so I cleared the gunk and leaves. Seemed to work, but then leak showed up at the next heavier rainfall
2) Gutters still full so I drilled a new hole where it was collecting, so it could drain onto a porch roof. I guessed rain may have been seeping over the edge of the gutter and moving along a joist. Thought that solved it... but leak showed up again tonight.


Background:
Roof was redone about 5 years ago. We laid a new layer of asphalt shingles on top of the old ones, which we were told is fine, as long as you don't do more than three layers total.

There is a slow leak showing up in one of our rooms, about 3 feet from an external wall. I have gone up in the attic multiple times but see no leaks dripping from the roof. When I touch the affected area, the insulation is damp, but not completely wet.

It's difficult to get all the way to the edge of the roof from the attic because of the angle of the roof is shallow there.

Suggestions, anyone? either for a solution or for a good leak-tracking contractor?

why dont you use a hose and spray in the area that you think is leaking, should be able to notice

- your only allowed 2 layers of asphalt shingles
- can you post a picture of the outside of the roof and the side of the house where it's leaking?

That's the shitty thing about trying to find a leak with two layers of roof on. The water could be coming in further up the roof and not showing until it penetrates the first layer further down the roof. Are there any chimneys, skylights, vents or any other penetrations near that area?

i dont like roofing over existing material as it tends to cause problems like this one down the road.

tear off and new paper new shingles is what i would have suggested as the cost savings of just roofing over are usually negated by future problems and issues that occur.

post some pics, also give the guy who did the work on your roof a call and ask him to come and take a look if hes willing. my bet is that its hitting a rafter and travelling down to that spot somewhere further up. try putting some plastic sheeting down and see if you can catch the water and determine where the source is.

Back in our old house, we've had irritating roof leaks too, very difficult to trace the problem. In the end we just re did everything.

It may cost more, but in the long run you'll encounter less headache and less band aid solutions.

Hope it works out!