How to Fix a Leaky Roof at the Dryer Vent

Examine the area on the roof where the dryer vent is located.

Cut around any of the roof cement or caulk at the base of the dryer vent using a utility knife. Insert a pry bar up under the edge of the flashing to remove the nails that hold it in place. Grasp the flashing and the vent cap and slide it up over the top of the vent until it detaches.

Examine the roof vent cap to ensure it has no cracks or breaks. If you see any signs of damage, purchase a new vent cap to prevent water leaks.

Insert the vent cap back inside the hole and notice the metal flashing at the top edge of the cap. Identify the shingles that lie directly under the top flashing and mark them with a piece of chalk. Remove the vent cap and set it aside.

Lift up each of the marked shingles and identify the nails that hold them in place. Remove the nails using a pry bar until the shingles are completely loose.

Lift the loose shingles up while you insert the vent cap back into place. Once the vent cap sits flush in the roof, lower the shingles back into place on top of it.

Trim the top shingles to fit around the flashing, if needed, using a utility knife.

Lift up the shingle on the left side of the vent and insert a galvanized roofing nail on top of the metal flashing using hammer. Repeat the process on the right side of the vent flashing and then insert two more nails at the bottom corners of the flashing.

Open a tube of roofing caulk and apply a pea-size amount over each nail until no portion of it remains visible. This prevents water leaks from seeping down into the roof along the nail shaft.