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Furnace Flue Leaking Water in the Attic

The areas around furnace flues and plumbing vents are common spots for roof leaks. Water damage on ceilings and walls requires investigation to determine the source of entry. Water can run along the rafters and attic flooring for long distances before emerging on the surface of your walls and ceilings. Before repairing a furnace flue, check for water trails on the roof rafters and pipes to confirm that the furnace flue is responsible for your water leak.
  1. Cap

    • A missing cap is one of the most common reasons for water leakage around a furnace flue. This is also an easy problem to repair. Strong winds can blow the caps and hoods off furnace flues and plumbing vents. Check the top of the flue to determine whether it is missing a flue cap. Replace a missing cap with the correct diameter of flue cap, attaching it firmly to the top of the flue with included hardware or sheet metal screws.

    Boot Seal

    • The boot of the flue vent is the flat section that rests against the surface of the roof. Heat resistant adhesive glue helps form a waterproof seal between the lip of the flue vent and the surface of the roof. Extreme temperature fluctuations, as well as normal aging, may cause the adhesive bond to crack and fail, allowing a small amount of water to run between these two surfaces. Reattaching the boot seal to the roof can help eliminate this source of water seepage.

    Flange

    • The flange rests just above the boot seal on most furnace flues. This circular piece of metal has a slight slant that helps direct water away from the flue opening. If the flange loosens and lifts, it may allow water to trickle between the pipe and flange. Seal a flange on a flue with silicone sealant. Use a product that contains 100-percent silicone and which is specially formulated for high-heat applications.

    Shingles

    • An improperly shingled roof can fail to direct the flow of water along the surface of the roof, allowing melting snow and rain to seep below the shingles. Each shingle should slightly overlap the top portion of the shingle beneath it. Replace any torn or improperly installed shingles to create positive drainage.