I have had problems with leaking furnace and boiler vent stacks that penetrate the roof in my attic. It looks like the water is coming from inside the vent and appearing on the outside of the vent then running down the side and pooling at the bottom. I suspect there might be something wrong with the vent cap or cover (not sure of the correct technical name) up on the roof. Some of the water also appears inside the base of the furnace. The water appears in moderate to heavy rain. I have had the same roofing company check it 4 times now and they are basically not interested - their customer service is terrible. They fixed the storm collars but said that any leaks from inside the vents of the furnace and boilers was a plumbing problem. So my questions are:

1. Is this a plumbing problem,
2. Is this normal to see these kind of leaks,
3. Do I need to replace all of the vents and the vent cap on the roof,
4. Is this a job a roofing company should do or a plumbing company,
5. Based on answer to 4 can you recommend any good companies in the Houston (Texas) area.

Thanks,
J.

There should not be that much condensation in the chimney. Hear are the possibility's.

1. Chimney is so cold at the roof area and the out side temp is very cold and condensation falls back down in hot air to boiler and that evaporates more humid air to to of chimney and cycle gets gets worse and worse.

2. There nay be a very small leak in boiler jacket and its evaporated back out of heat chamber and out the stack.

Water raining and getting down the chimney and boiler can cause this cycle.

This is not a roofer thing.

Get a plumber to check boiler jacket. Another way for a pin hole leak test is let boiler cool down. Look at pressure on boiler, shut off automatic fill valve. Let sit for a half a day and see if the pressure on boiler drops.

Get cap for chimney and test boiler call plumber if it keeps happening and or if the boiler looses water pressure.