Will Standard Roof Vents Leak Rain?

Tracing Leaks

• Finding the location of a roof leak in your house’s roof, like finding the location of a plumbing leak inside your house, can be tricky. Water may run along surfaces such as the beams in the attic, electrical wires or air ducts before falling and collecting on the drywall ceiling below. Just because you find water damage in a specific spot does not mean it is directly below or even anywhere near the leak in the roof. Going into your attic can help you spot water damage, which you then trace back to the leak’s origin. Inspecting the roof may also help you identify the source, especially if you peel back shingles and look for water damage below.

Vent Installation

• When a standard roof vent is installed on the roof, whether it will leak from exposure to rain water in the near future depends on whether the vent is positioned and secured properly. The vent hood has a lip on it, which the installer should slide under the shingles that sit above the vent opening. The installer must secure the vent’s lip with nails or screws, keeping the lip flush with the roof’s surface so water does not flow underneath it. Nails may pop out of the roof, while screws stay secure for longer periods.

Vent Inspection

• If you suspect one of your roof vents is the source of a roof leak, you need to climb onto your roof to take a closer look. Examine the roof vent, especially its base and the attached lip, looking for damage. Metal roof vents may have rust holes that allow water to pass through, or the seams at the corners of the vent may separate, allowing water to pass through. Plastic vents can crack as they age. If you find damage to the vent pipes, you must replace them. If you find no damage but the nails are missing on the vent’s lip, drive screws into the lip to secure it to the roof again.

Damage Repair

• Aside from having to replace a damaged roof vent, you may find that the leaking water caused some other damage to your house. If the leaking water only left a stain on your ceiling, you can paint over it, but if enough water soaked the drywall, you must cut out the wet drywall and install a patch. Leaking water from the roof also may warp or soften the wood beams in the attic or cause mold to grow on the insulation.