Comments on: Making a Roof Less Likely to Leak

By: RoyC

RoyC — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 22:40:54 +0000

When I was a home builder in the north, we always connected all of the vents together so that there would only be one roof penetration. The vent piping is PVC which is cheap and easy to seal, and leaks wouldn’t be a big problem anyway since it is just moist smelly air at atmospheric pressure with no significant net flow. We had to expand the vent to a 4″ pipe before it penetrated the roof to reduce the chance of it freezing over during long cold spells. I don’t know why we don’t do the same thing in the south.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 18:21:32 +0000

So you combined all your plumbing stacks to one penetration in the roof?
I was thinking about that but it could possibly cause more issues. Having more pipes in the attic to potentially leak. I guess either way it has to be done correctly and well.
I do plan to replace my exhaust fans with an ERV and replace attic exhaust vents with a ridge vent.

By: scott

scott — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 15:49:01 +0000

Rubber type boots will never last the life of the roof and will always develop a leak sometime during the roof life. Double booting or using a product like perma boot is the way to go if using a rubber type boot. The top boot or perma boot will be the primary barrier for a while but later on will become a protector of the lower boot while it keeps water out.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Perma-Boot-Pipe-Boot-Repair-Flashing-adjustable-1-5-in-I-D-to-3-in-I-D-Vent-Pipe-in-Black-PBR-312-3n1-BK/306195098

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:45:27 +0000

I disagree with your second lesson learned. While it is true, going all electric eliminates roof penetrations, this is not the only solution. Basic gas HE forced air and water heaters all vent out of the sidewalls. I am actually working on eliminating roof penetrations too for my own house and some rentals as I need roofs for everything I own (when it rains, it pours, lol!). Most of this is dealing with changing out the atmospheric vents to other types of water heating systems that vent out the side walls as most of the hot water systems are rather aged as well. Even if I wanted to though, I could not afford to switch over from gas to electric. I may see if I can eliminate any drain vents as well. Thank you for your articles.

By: Barry

Barry — Wed, 22 May 2024 01:22:26 +0000

In reply to Allison Bailes. Thank you.

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Tue, 21 May 2024 20:10:12 +0000

In reply to Paul Szymkiewicz. Thanks, Paul. That looks great!

By: Paul Szymkiewicz

Paul Szymkiewicz — Tue, 21 May 2024 20:06:45 +0000

In reply to Allison Bailes.

This is what we used: https://www.ironridge.com/component/flashfoot2/
Allison, our modest 4.7kW system after 5 years:

* 33.8 MWh (pronounce with extra emphasis on “mega”)
* 54,000 lbs CO2 emissions avoided
(north metro ATL)

A lot can happen in 5 years. Your roof is so easy, I’ll come down and help you.

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Tue, 21 May 2024 15:41:33 +0000

In reply to Barry.

Barry: Below are the articles I’ve written about powered attic ventilators. They always stir up a lot of comments, so take a look there, too.

Don’t Let Your Attic Suck – Power Attic Ventilators Are a Bad Idea
https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/Don-t-Let-Your-Attic-Suck-Power-Attic-Ventilators-Are-a-Bad-Idea

The #1 Reason Power Attic Ventilators Don’t Help
https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/The-1-Reason-Power-Attic-Ventilators-Don-t-Help

Power Attic Ventilators Banned by New Georgia Energy Code
https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/43463/Power-Attic-Ventilators-Banned-by-New-Georgia-Energy-Code

Is It Ever Helpful to Use a Powered Attic Ventilator?
https://www.energyvanguard.com/blog/is-it-ever-helpful-to-use-a-powered-attic-ventilator/

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Tue, 21 May 2024 15:38:12 +0000

In reply to Brian Silvestry.

Brian: I assume you mean the plumbing vents, not the chimney. We haven’t removed the chimney, as you can see in the photo. So, to answer the question about plumbing stacks, no, we didn’t remove them all the way down…yet. When we remodel the kitchen, we’ll do that one. Then we’ll have to do some work in the bedroom and open the wall there to take that one down. But it’s on the agenda of future improvements.

If you look the section titled “Removing the plumbing stack penetrations,” you’ll see how we handled the pipe left beneath the roof deck.

By: Allison Bailes

Allison Bailes — Tue, 21 May 2024 15:34:23 +0000

In reply to John Mirsky. John: Yes, I'd like to do that now that we have a new roof. But first I need to finish the basement renovation. I'm hoping to have it done in the next five years. I haven't looked into attachment systems yet, but I think there are some good ones that minimize the chance of leaks. Of course, they have to be installed properly and that's often the rub.