GOOD Day
Got a message for a leaky tub that was leaking into the basement ceiling tiles.
Long story short wasn’t leaking plumbing, leaking ridge vents. There was about a foot of snow below the ridge vents. The home is about 6 yrs old and this has been a constant problem particularly in high winds. I can see light reflecting through in some spots. The home owner is rightly tired of the damage it has been causing. Is there a fix for this, or should the ridge vents be removed / filled and standard vents put in as they would like.
Thanks in advance
One cold Canuck
Replies
First thing you might investigate is any source of heatloss into the attic that is causing the snow to melt too rapidly.
Sounds like a lot of heat is escaping into the attic and through the ridge vent and causing rapid snow melt, instead of even melting all over the roof.
I say this NOT as an expert.
All ridge vent is not created equal and you shouldn't be able to see light thru gaps around it. It sounds like you've got some inferior ridge vent (do you know the brand and type?) and/or it also sounds like the install is lacking. Some pics would help the diagnosis.
http://logancustomcopper.com
http://grantlogan.net/
It's like the whole world's walking pretty and you can't find no room to move. - the Boss
I married my cousin in Arkansas - I married two more when I got to Utah. - the Gourds
Cor-a-vent can be a problem, especially with wind. This looks very much like corrugated cardboard and there's nothing there to keep snow or water from blowing through. We've been using GAF cobra-vent with good results - it's a woven, mesh-type design.
>>>>>>>We've been using GAF cobra-vent with good results - it's a woven, mesh-type design.That's the only kind i use.http://logancustomcopper.com
http://grantlogan.net/
It's like the whole world's walking pretty and you can't find no room to move. - the Boss
I married my cousin in Arkansas - I married two more when I got to Utah. - the Gourds
We use the Benjamin Obdyke gunnable ridge vent, I like it better- no hand nailing ! The cobra is a good one too though. The ridgid sectional stuff is crap IMO. Never seen it look good or work right...... I'd bet that is what the OP has here and it is raised up from the roof or letting in snow past the baffles.
>>>>>>>We use the Benjamin Obdyke gunnable ridge vent,They sent me a sample several years ago and I liked the look of it, but no one here sells it.http://logancustomcopper.com
http://grantlogan.net/
It's like the whole world's walking pretty and you can't find no room to move. - the Boss
I married my cousin in Arkansas - I married two more when I got to Utah. - the Gourds
Do you have an ABC Supply close by ? That's where we get ours now, but we had to piss and moan for a couple months b4 they would carry it, now it's practically all they sell......=)
>>>>>>>>>>Do you have an ABC Supply close by ?That's actually where I do most of my business and I'm one of their best accounts so I'll ask.http://logancustomcopper.com
http://grantlogan.net/
It's like the whole world's walking pretty and you can't find no room to move. - the Boss
I married my cousin in Arkansas - I married two more when I got to Utah. - the Gourds
Have you had any experience with them in situations where the roof is subjected to lots of pine needles? I am having trouble finding one that doesn't clog up.
>>>>>>>>>Have you had any experience with them in situations where the roof is subjected to lots of pine needles? No. Is there a source of negative pressure sucking the needles into the vent?http://logancustomcopper.com
http://grantlogan.net/
It's like the whole world's walking pretty and you can't find no room to move. - the Boss
I married my cousin in Arkansas - I married two more when I got to Utah. - the Gourds
Not negative pressure, just wind. Most of the houses around here sit among 100'+ Fir and Hemlock. Its not just the ridge vent that gets needles, but its the vent where they cause problems. Laminates sure have helped prolong the life of roofs, as three tabs collected needles and soon lost their adhesion. Even my truck leaks when needles get in the door gasket. People say nature is our friend, but its sneaky.
Like some of the other guys who responded to you said. Not all ridge vents are the same. Also you didn't say but I have seen one thing on some houses that causes problems like that. 1. never use gable end vents with ridge vents it could cause this.
2. if this is a 1-story house with an attached garage that isn't insulated. sheet the truss that separates the house attic from the garage attic because everytime you open the garage door it creates a vacum(if the winds are blowing in the right direction) and pulls air through the ridge vent and snow would come in if it was a ridge vent that isn't equipped with a mesh or screen. (This one happened to a new house we built 2- years ago)
Thought I would share this with you all. I had a call where they said the roof was leaking a lot. It was one of my roof jobs so I trotted right on over. When I asked the owner to show me the leaks she said pick a spot and looks up. Sure as hell there are markings all over. I go up on the roof and see nothing but water by the ridge vents. I go in the attic all the insulation is wet. I am now shating a brick! Im thinking "law suit" or empty bank account at this point. I cant find anything though that looks wrong except as I look at the vent again it finally hits me WATER is coming out of them. Back inside and then it hits me again God Damn its humid in this house. Downstairs to the hvac and we find the humidty is turned up to 80% .LOL
The damage after 5 months to that house you could not imagine. sheetrock,insulation all of it. Brand new 1.5 million dollar home. Thank God I was the roofer and not the builder on that job.
We worked on a job a few years ago where the ridge vents leaked and leaked. IIRC, three different ones were tried until they were finally removed and other measures were taken. This was a dormer with a real low pitch like 1.5/12. I think that was part of the problem, even tho the vent packages said it made no difference.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
Low pitch roofs like that can be a problem for ridge vent. wind can blow water up hill on a low slope.http://logancustomcopper.com
http://grantlogan.net/
It's like the whole world's walking pretty and you can't find no room to move. - the Boss
I married my cousin in Arkansas - I married two more when I got to Utah. - the Gourds