Taking Out a Ridge Vent in a New Roof

Locate and access the ridge vent along the peak of the building. Use a ladder or scaffolding to access the roof.

Remove the ridge vent by pulling out the nails that hold the vent to the roof sheathing. This may also involve prying the vent free from the underlying shingles if roofing tar was used to seal the edges of the vent. Use a flat wrecking bar to ease the vent off of the shingles.

Take off the top course of shingles on each side of the roof. The top edges of these shingles were cut to create the opening below the ridge vent cover. Pry the shingle nails free with the flat wrecking bar or a hammer and lift the shingles away. Dispose of the shingles.

Place a new top course of shingles on each side of the roof. These shingles will extend over the peak of the roof and be nailed in place on the opposite side. These shingles will cover the vent gap in the roof sheathing with two layers of shingles.

Lay ridge cap shingles over the peak of the roof. Start at one end of the roof, driving a 2-inch shingle nail through the ridge cap shingle on each side of the roof. Set the next ridge cap in place to cover the nails on the previous cap. Continue adding ridge cap shingles along the entire length of the roof.