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Tomyslady · Dec 20, 2008, 07:36 AM

My exhaust fan in bathroom is leaking when there is a hard windy rain. Could it be, the rain is pooling around the upper part of the vent and running in? Would it be a good idea to put flashing around the upper part to keep it from running in?
Thank you,
Lorraine

KBC · Dec 20, 2008, 08:10 AM

How does the vent leave the house? From the roof or through the wall?

Tomyslady · Dec 20, 2008, 08:14 AM

It is mounted on the roof.

KBC · Dec 20, 2008, 08:19 AM

And the stack is covered? Or open pipe with a pipe boot around it?or a flat roof vent or a curved stack hood?

Also how high is the vent out of the roof?

Tomyslady · Dec 20, 2008, 08:27 AM

It is a flat cover. The total vent height is about 3". It has just started leaking, about 6 months ago. We have had hard rains before.

KBC · Dec 20, 2008, 08:33 AM

OK the flat roof vent probably has lost it's seal.

When a roofer lays the shingle ,the vent cover is installed with the elimination of shingles around the new roof vent.The vent has flashing around it and the roofer applies(hopefully) roof cement around the top and sides to seal the vent.

In time the roof will expand and contract causing the seal to be compromised.

Applying new roof cement(you can use tube form for ease) around the edges, not the bottom,the bottom should be exposed,above the shingle as to allow water to exit from the vents sides and not under the shingles(below it) but on top.

This should fix the problem.

If it doesn't let us know and we can further address it with you.

KBC

Tomyslady · Dec 20, 2008, 08:38 AM

Thank you very much, my husband will try this.

twinkiedooter · Dec 20, 2008, 10:22 AM

My one bathroom exhaust fan was leaking as well. When my son got up on the ladder and looked at the vent he found that several shingles surrounding the vent had to be recemented with roofing tar and since he did this it has not leaked. Probably just needs retarred.

Tomyslady · Dec 20, 2008, 06:34 PM

Thank you both for all your help.
Lorraine

Rvlec · Jan 4, 2009, 07:44 PM

How steep is your roof pitch?

Tomyslady · Jan 5, 2009, 07:12 AM

The pitch of my roof is 3/12..

Rvlec · Jan 5, 2009, 05:49 PM

Flatter roofs (lower pitches) sometime require extra care when flashing. The low pitch combined with heavy blowing rain can cause leaks. Also if you have snow and ice that stay on the roof for a while, low pitch roofs are more likely to leak. I suggest having the fan roof cap re-worked and make sure the shingles are done properly and adequately sealed with roofing caulk.

Kimmer25 · Nov 14, 2009, 06:46 PM

My vent has leaked twice. I had my roof replaced this spring and since then, I have had the rain water pool in the tubing in the attic and buckets full of water dripping into my bathroom. It is happening now and I am so frustrated. I called the roofing company the first time it happened; I was told that the roof was fine. I had some bee nests inside the vent and the man stated that the vent was slightly propped open-the reason why the water got into the vent. The man told me that the vent may need to be replaced-it never leaked with the old roof. Am I being scammed?

BuilderBrent · Nov 23, 2009, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Kimmer25

My vent has leaked twice. I had my roof replaced this spring and since then, I have had the rain water pool in the tubing in the attic and buckets full of water dripping into my bathroom. It is happening now and I am so frustrated. I called the roofing company the first time it happened; I was told that the roof was fine. I had some bee nests inside the vent and the man stated that the vent was slightly propped open-the reason why the water got into the vent. The man told me that the vent may need to be replaced-it never leaked with the old roof. Am I being scammed?

I don't think "scammed" is the right word necessarily, but someone is definitely trying to talk their way out of repairing their mistake. I have had many customers who have told me about having roofs replaced that didn't leak, only to have it leak with the new roof installed. And, truth be told, I have done it myself. It's not as uncommon as you may think. What is uncommon is the unwillingness to remedy the situation.

Most likely one of two things happened. An employee got in a hurry and missed some flashing, or tar where needed (which is what happened to me), or damaged the vent itself while removing the original roofing materials and didn't bother replacing or reporting it (this sounds more likely in your case).

Check the vent for yourself or have someone you trust take a look and check for damage caused by roofing shovels or pitch forks.