Roof Leaks - roof ridge vent cap is suspect

907 Views 7 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Windows on Wash, Jan 11, 2016

Pete1952

Discussion Starter · Jan 11, 2016

I have a 1952 vintage one story house. Sometime in the last 10 years the roof was replaced. From what is can determine with an attic inspection, roof ridge venting was not cut in, but a ridge vent cap was installed. The roof is vented with static vents. I have a few small leaks in the roof during heavy rains. While the roof shingles looks to be in good condition, no observable issues, I suspect the ridge vent to be involved with the leaks. I am considering removing the ridge vent, replacing it with a shingle cap. I am unsure why a ridge vent cap was installed, without the cutting in of the ridge vent. I suspect the installer oversold a previous owner. Does anyone have any experience with leaking ridge vents or thoughts if my approach above would resolve these leaks?

Thanks,
Pete1952

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Windows on Wash

· #2 · Jan 11, 2016

Ridge vents can and do leak....but usually when they are cut in and open.

If they ran the underlayment over the peak and shingled it in (non-working ridge vent or not), it shouldn't be coming from there.

That being said, the buffoon or schill that put that roof on, probably shouldn't be depended on for 100% solid installation technique either.

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craig11152

· #3 · Jan 11, 2016

why would you think an uncut ridge is the culprit rather than one or more of your static vents that presumably actually do have a hole cut?

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Bud9051

· #4 · Jan 11, 2016

Where is the moisture showing up that looks like a leak. I agree with w/w and craig that we first need to confirm where the water is coming from. Could it be condensation on the inside due to poor ventilation?

Bud

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Pete1952

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 11, 2016

Thanks to all for your replies.
I am pretty sure that condensation is not the issues, but will need to keep that cause in mind.
Responding to Craig - your comment has me looking at the relationship of a static vent and one of the leak locations. This one that is easy to monitor as it is in the open attic space. The other leak is in hip roof segment that right angle butts to the main roof with no static vents in this roof segment, and not associated with any valley. This roof is over a small extension without attic access. I am delaying ceiling insulation and the drywall install until I get the leak identified and resolved. it is a small roof area. If I can not source the leak, I will do a tear-off and replace the shingles and cap on this roof segment.

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Bud9051

· #6 · Jan 11, 2016

Pete? "This roof is over a small extension without attic access. I am delaying ceiling insulation and the drywall install until I get the leak identified and resolved."
What is up there now if no drywall and insulation and is that room heated?

Bud

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Pete1952

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 11, 2016

Bud- in the past this was not a heated room. It is a small porch extension that was turned into a laundry room. As this is a project property for me, I completely gutted the space, rebuilding the outside walls, ceiling, etc. Unfortunately I did not take notice if the old ceiling material showed signs of a water stain. It was a low hanging tongue and grove wood ceiling with no insulation. When removed it I did not find rotted or water soaked wood. If it was leaking in the past, the leak must have been minor, as it is now. In the last several weeks we have had major extended rain storms here in upstate SC, hence a few roof leak surprises.

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Windows on Wash

· #8 · Jan 11, 2016

Most to porch and addition roof leaks are result of poor tie in to the original structure and/or Roof

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