Now that we all know about the importance of proper attic ventilation year round, it’s time we talk about the inevitable: the replacement of a leaky or otherwise ineffective roof vent. These vents serve a valuable purpose in your home by allowing moist, stagnant air to escape while fresh air is brought in to replace it. Depending on your needs and climate, these roof vents can be made of different materials and come in several different designs.
Always Observe Proper Roof Safety
Since this repair takes place on, you guessed it, the roof, certain safety precautions need to be adhered to, such as:
- Never work on the roof when it is wet and slippery.
- Avoid working in extremely hot or cold weather.
- Use fall protection equipment if available: harness, toe board, etc.
- Only use ladders that are on level ground.
- Use a wood or fiberglass ladder, as a metal one can become electrocuted.
And most of all: if at any point that you feel that you cannot complete this task safely, please contact a professional.
And now that we have safety covered, it’s now time to move on to…
Replacing Existing Roof Vents
Here are the tools you will need to complete this job:
- Gloves
- Box Knife
- Nail Gun
Once you’ve gotten on the roof and located the faulty vent, removing it is as simple as removing the four corner screws or nails in the flange. The back corners of the flange are typically located under the shingles, with the screws or nails accessible from the top.
Remove all four of the screws/nails.
Slide the old vent forward and out from underneath the shingles.
Size the new vent with the old hole and cut to size if needed.
Slide new roof vent into place.
Nail in the new flange.
How to Tell When It Is Time to Replace Your Roof Vents
It’s when it leaks, but the problem can start out subtle, growing out of control until you finally notice it, but by then it’s too late. Since roof vents lead into the attic, any leaks there could go undetected for quite some time, causing water damage, mold/mildew growth, and a plethora of other expensive problems homeowners could face.
To that end, it is always a good idea to check your roof vents every 6 months to ensure no leaks have developed to minimize damage as much as possible.
How FAMCO Can Help
FAMCO is one of the largest distributors and manufacturers of HVAC supplies and accessories in the Pacific Northwest. We have a wide selection of roof vents to fit any taste, need, and/or budget. If you have any questions about any of our products or have any questions about any of our services, please feel free to get in touch with us. We will be more than happy to help.
