I am just before re-roofing my home and would like to see what the possibility of relocating the bathroom vent stack would be. The vents are traditionally going through the roof as normal now, but would like to know if these pipe vent(s) could be run over to the soffit and vent out so as not to have a roof penetration any longer. It would prevent any leakage around a roof boot in the future. Any suggestions here?

Hi Brian

Nope... no need to run the pipe over to the soffit... majorly frowned upon!

With today's metal and neoprene roof boots there is no reason to see a leak for like 25-30 years or more (depending on wind/sun exposure). The trick here is to be sure that the roof vent pipes are plumb from front to back and from side to side when they go through the roof. Install the new roof boots so there is no stress at the neoprene seal (via visual inspection) and I'm telling you there should be no need for concern!

Finally, plumbing codes will not allow soffit venting. You can go outside and through the soffit if you want, but you must terminate a specific height above windows and the roof itself.

Back to you...

Mark