Roofer did not install 636 roof cap for bathroom fans – can I swap it out easily
Hello – So I had a roof installed about 6 months ago – the old bathroom vent fans were venting directly into the attic – so I had the roofer install what I thought to be the correct roof cap to hook the duct from the bathroom vent fan onto. Turns out it was the wrong one…it did not have a flange for the duct. After calling and calling and calling – the contractor is basically acting like I don’t exist.
I want to install a 636 roof cap – can I just go up and lift the nails on the wrong cap and the shingles around the current vent and insert the new roof cap? I saw the guide to adding a bathroom fan by Mike Guertin – but I already technically have the hole in the roof – I wonder if I can just slip it in the same spot and use the current flashing/underlayment (assuming there is flashing). Should I just buy some asphalt flashing tape and a piece of underlayment to flash the new 636 roof cap to be prepared?
Replies
Depends on how many nails and how much sealant your roofer used.
And on how hot it got over the summer to seal the shingles to each other.
you can get a tube of roofing sealant and be ready.
Easy is relative.
Ok - so asphalt flashing tape and some asphalt sealant to bond the shingles back down and I should be good? I looked today and it doesn't seem like an excessive amount of nails - maybe 10-12 over the entire flange of the vent. I just figured I would have to lift the shingle above and to the side to reach the nails and then nail the flange of the new roof cap and shingles back down, then flash tape, then sealant and call it a day.
What do you have up there now? Ordinary roof vent?
You need a damper on the cap. If you have that, maybe you could fab a collar or flange to it.
How can you fabricate one? The current one is just the slant back roof louver style I would say - it is just to vent a small roof area I assume. I thought I could just tie the exhaust fan hose into it but I didn't know it could backdraft and let cold air in since it wouldn't have a damper
https://www.amazon.com/Vent-Systems-Connector-Straight-Ventilation/dp/B08GWS5G1H/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=4+inch+duct+connector&qid=1609198429&sr=8-4
something like this would let you attach a hose and seal the rest of the vent.
https://www.amazon.com/Vent-Systems-Inch-Backdraft-Damper/dp/B08GY9N2Y2/ref=sr_1_27?crid=1JSEJADVV7J5N&dchild=1&keywords=4+inch+backflow+preventer&qid=1609198609&sprefix=4+inch+backflow%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-27
there are also dampers which are designed for such use, some mount up and down, some horizontally.
another thing to consider is if there is a screen on the existing vent.
>> After calling and calling and calling – the contractor is basically acting like I don’t exist.
As an aside- I've never understood this behavior. Someone paid to get a job completed. Maybe it's a callback (no one likes those), or maybe you feel like you did it correctly, and this is an add on. But return the phone call, and either agree to go do the work as a callback, or explain that it's a change order and put an appropriate price on it. But ignoring someone who has hired you in the past is just stupid. You're not only burning that one customer, but everyone he talks to. (Hey Joe, you got your roof done. How is it? Oh that guy was a disaster- call ANYONE except him.)
Yea - I was really pleased when I saw the final product, now the more I learn - the more I know I should've had a better eye on it. I had them open up the soffits where they were originally blocked - now I see some of the material blocking the soffit originally was never removed, I noticed this roof cap, now the guy won't call me back - so I wonder what happens if my roof does start to leak. I assume all of the "warranty" on labor is pretty much non-existent...
If your (ex)roofer is licensed, contact the Contractor's Licensing Board in your state. I think you're right to be concerned about being ghosted- you deserve an answer, even if it's "Sorry, that's not covered because of XYZ." Also, the shingle warranty often comes from the manufacturer, not the installer, so be sure you have that info.