PART 1 - THE LEAKY VENT BOOT

Roof leaks can be caused by many factors, but not all of these

factors can be attributed to a faulty roofing surface. Sometimes,

it's other roof features that cause roof leaks to happen, like a

faulty vent boot.

Vent boots act as a rubber stopper that keeps a watertight seal

around the vent pipes. If a vent boot deteriorates, the space

between the boot and the vent pipe can serve as an entry point

for water, which can further seep into other parts of the roofing

system and the ceiling.

Although designed to withstand constant abuse, various factors

can severely cut down a vent boot's total lifespan. For example,

the changing seasons can cause the rubber seal to turn brittle

and crack over time. Hailstorms or sudden impact from branches

or other types of debris can also break the boot's watertight seal.

PART 1 - THE LEAKY VENT BOOT

In some cases, the boot stays intact, but the vent collar right

below it starts developing rust spots and weakens over time, this

removes the watertight seal provided by the vent boot straight

from below. Furthermore, changes in temperature can cause a

metal vent pipe to expand or contract more than the rubber

boot, causing the seal to come off gradually.

Finding a roof leak caused by a faulty vent boot is easy if you

are familiar with the pipe layout in your home's ceiling; if leak

spots appear directly under a vent pipe, it almost always means

the vent boot needs resealing or replacement. From outside the

home, climbing up on the roof and checking the vent boot up

close, can help you figure out if the roof vent is still in good shape.

Depending on the severity of the damage, a vent boot can

be fixed by applying a waterproof sealing agent on the part

where the boor "wraps" around the vent pipe and around the

vent collar. However, a roof vent with fairly large cracks is

better off replaced with a new one, since it is now more prone

to developing even more cracks over time.

PART 2 - FLASHING FAIL

The flashing serves as your roof's primary defense where

shingles or panels are least effective: at the seams. No matter

how seamless your roof may look, there will always be gaps along

each roof plane's edges. The roof flashing covers these seams so

that your entire roof system forms a single, watertight blanket

over your home.

Leaks caused by poor flashing can best be explained by the

following analogy: imagine that the roof is like an split dome

or umbrella that can be separated along its sections, and the

flashing is like a layer of duct tape joining these sections together. If

the duct tape is removed, water can penetrate the dome by

running along the space between each section.

Unfortunately, your roof's flashing receives just as much

punishment as the roof's outer surface. If asphalt shingles tend to

curl up over time and metal roof panels develop rust, flashing can

get warped out of shape by constant changes in temperature, if

not knocked out of place by debris or even a minor shift in one

of the roof planes.

PART 2 - FLASHING FAIL

One of the best ways to check if a

leak is caused by faulty flashing, is by

determining the location of the leak.

Normally, you'd check the spot directly

above the roof leak, but sloped

roofing designs mean that water

dripping down one spot of the

ceiling may originate from a

different part of the roof up to a few

meters away. This is why roof leaks

caused by faulty flashing are better off

inspected by someone

with actual roofing experience.

Flashing repair is often a straightforward process; the damaged

part is lifted before the existing sealant is cleaned out, and then

the gap is filled, the flashing is either put back in place or replaced

entirely, and caulking is reapplied. While this may be a simple task

when repairing smaller flashing problems (especially chimney

and vent flashing), bigger ones such as repairing valley flashing

or total replacement is usually best left to professional roofers.

PART 3 - VENTS: AIR OUT, LEAKS IN

Ridge vents are a series of gaps located at the ridge of your roof

designed to provide a passage for hot air to exit the attic and

avoid problems related to humidity and overheating. Because

air keeps circulating properly, moisture doesn't build up, and

your attic stays dry... unless your ridge vent is making matters

worse by springing a leak or two.

One of the most common reasons why a ridge vent leaks, is poor

or incorrect installation. Shingles over the ridge vents have to

be secured properly to make sure they stay in place and provide

enough coverage. If the roof nails used to secure the shingles

are too small, then there's a fair chance that strong wind or other

factors can knock the shingle off and expose the ridge vent.

Even with properly secured shingles, leaks are still likely to

happen if the ridge vents are not installed properly. In some

cases, ridge vents are laid out like strips end-to-end, spanning

the entire length of the roof ridge. However, this means there

is some space between the ends of each strip where water can

seep through. To avoid this, ridge vents must overlap by at least

1.5 inches and be sealed properly with caulking.

PART 3 - VENTS: AIR OUT, LEAKS IN

Of course, ridge vents are bound to have a few leaks without

proper maintenance. While the maintenance requirements

are fairly low, ridge vents should be inspected at least twice a

year. This helps ensure that the ridge vent is free from possible

problems before the start of the more extreme seasons (summer

and winter).

Inspecting a ridge vent involves walking along its entire length,

pulling the vent slightly upward every few meters. Check for

any loose seams or fasteners and have them repaired as soon

as possible; even a nail slightly out of place can cause problems

later on.

If you feel like you're not sure of what to look for, there's always

the option of calling in a professional roofer for help. While it

costs a lot more than performing the inspection on your own,

getting professional help is safer and often yields better results.

Roof roof

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Charlotte, North Carolina 28269

(864) 990-2001

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