If You Have a Leaking Roof Pipe Vent, Get It Fixed
What is a Roof Pipe Vent?
A roof pipe vent in a home allows gases from the structure, particularly from the kitchen and bathrooms, to escape and keep the airflow circulating within. These are a necessary component of any house to keep the building fresh and healthy to inhabit.
At Nelson Contracting, we frequently see these vents become a source of leakages, water damage, mold and roof rot in homes. Most often, this is due to the rubber in the watertight boot degrading and cracking over time, and with exposure to the elements, rainwater entering the home through the roof. If you suspect your pipe vent is leaking, call us today (402) 464-2418.
What Causes a Leaking Roof Pipe Vent?
Roof vents are made of either plastic, metal, a mixture of both or a two-piece metal. They are usually surrounded at the base by a rubber roof pipe boot to keep the area watertight. Degradation over time of any of these materials, or even the nails or sealant used to hold the flashing in place, can expose the area to the elements.
The materials can degrade due to a variety of circumstances: extreme heat, cold or other weather conditions. Very often, however, it’s wear-and-tear over time, making replacement a regular and necessary part of home maintenance. As the leak progresses, it can eventually lead to the damage of the interior structure of the house. This can be unsightly, but more importantly, very unhealthy to live in as mold spores and dampness become introduced to your home and thus, your body.
A leak in a roof pipe vent may be undetectable until it is quite advanced. Therefore, we recommend regular internal checks as a quick and efficient way of determining whether anything is out of place on your roof. Check your attic and first-floor ceilings regularly, or after an extreme weather event, to ensure that there are no damp patches. The earlier you catch the leak, the easier and less costly it will be to repair any damage.
Fixing a Roof Pipe Vent
While it may be tempting to do a quick “patch up” job on your own, we don’t recommend it. Applying caulking around the roof vent is a swift and cost-effective way to reseal the area. However, this will only be a short-term solution and may cause further problems as it prevents proper assessment and repair of the area in the future.
At Nelson Contracting, we take pride in completing repairs to the highest standard, offering long-term results you can trust. If you notice water stains, mold or damp patches appearing in your home, no matter how small, hire professionals to take a look as soon as possible. The earlier you catch it, the more affordable the repairs will be. We can assess your roof fully and ensure that any other underlying issues are evaluated and resolved, leaving your home weather tight and comfortable once again.
