AboutTom Souza Expertise Can not help in The new single ply roof systems Rubber systems
mostly wood shake, wood shingle, fiberglass shingles,Torch-on, some concrete some clay tile and some still tile gerard,decra tile
Experience Roofing since 1974 and still in it.
Education/Credentials Passed the CSLB for a C-39 ( Roofing ) 2006
Question QUESTION: last year I had a leak coming down the exhaust vent over an indoor grill. Called a roofer and he said the vent wasn't covered properly with shake shingles (missing across the top and down the sides) and the roofing sealant was cracked and was probably the cause for the leak. He said he fixed the problem, but this year I'm having the same issue... once the insulation around the exhaust pipe (about 10-12" dia) is saturated, it starts to drop onto the hood of the grill. I've called the same guy repeatedly and he won't return my calls, so either I call someone else, or take a look myself. The vent is only 4-5' off the roof edge so I could probably safely check it out and maybe even repair it myself. Now I just need to know the procedure. My thoughts are: 1. remove shakes, 2. remove old sealant and apply new, 3. install shakes. Does that sound about right or is there something else? And what is the name of the sealant I would need?
Thanks
S. Berg
ANSWER: S Berg
Lets start with, 1 is the water coming in from the inside of vent or the outside.
If one, water is blowing in the vent and it's not the roof.
If the water is coming on the outside of the vent then it is coming from the roof.
This is something you can do, remove the shakes around six to eight inches all the way around the area. replace the felt and replace the shakes. Then seal around the vent with a good caulking sikaflex is one that comes to mind.
Good luck
Tom Souza
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Yes, it is definitely coming from the roof. I've checked in the attic and the insulation surrounding the pipe is wet. So, when I remove/replace the felt, should it overlap the surrounding felt? Under or over? Too nit picky?
More specific ??'s... In what order are the materials applied? i.e. Wood underlayment, felt, vent flashing, shakes, sealant? If that's the order, where is the sealant applied? I thought the sealant would be applied around the square edge of the vent flashing then the shakes and maybe a little more sealant where the shakes meet the flashing (like and upside down U).
Thanks again & sorry for needing so much detail.
S Berg
Answer Hi S Berg
When you remove the shakes, You can see a pattern with the old felt you should be able to follow that pattern just over lap 4" to 6" on each side,
Before replacing the felt remove the old vent , if in good shape you should be able to reuse, clean it up and paint it for rusting.
Now replace it, nailing all 4 corners then add the new felt, the felt 18" shake felt, On the fist coarse place under the bottom of the vent, The others courses will lay on to the top of the vent, place the new shakes in the pattern of what's there now, Seal the base of the vent,
with sealant were the flat part meets the up part and at the shake area.
