Ridge Vent

[pennwalk]

We have been in this house about 3 years (new to us but built in '56) and we are getting some water spots on the ceiling of the attic room. I got up on the roof and the roof looks OK but I can see that there has been roof tar applied to the ridge vent so I'm guessing that it has been a problem in the past. It is the aluminum kind they sell at Home Depot but it is a little beat-up and I'm wondering if it was installed correctly. It may have been reused when they re-roofed not too long before we bought it. For some reason some of the roofers in our area seem to hate putting in ridge vent so sometimes the job doesn't get done quite right. I'm thinking about replacing the ridge vent but there are several choices at HD and Lowes. Does anyone have any advise about ridge vents?

Chris

 

[Robert_in_NY]

We have used the original Cobra vent (the black thick fabric type) for years with no problems at all. Recently we started using the plastic Cobra vent (the roll version) on certain jobs and if you do not have any experience using the fabric version then go with the plastic one as it is idiot proof (don't take that as an insult towards you). The fabric version requires some care when you are applying the cap shingles while the plastic version doesn't.

 

[heehaw]

the first ridge vent i installed, had the vents vertical: so with a hard blowing rain, the water could go into the attic: after a few problems, i tore it off and put on what is there now, the vents are horizontal, and underneath, sort of like the sofit of a house: no problems since.
heehaw

 

[MossRoad]

it is idiot proof

I am living proof that you can only make things idiot resistant, not idiot proof!

 

[Red55]

David- you're inspiring me to become an idiot ( that is a step up from dummy?)

Is the drops from condensation or rain? With this wacky weather I have had water drops on my garage ceiling from the warm moist air condensing on it. And I like the Plastic ridge vents with the fiberglass mesh inside and baffle on the outside. -Ed

 

[texbaylea]

I just finished a complete reroof and used the Cor-A-Vent product.

Cor-A-Vent

I did a lot of research and decided that I like this the best. It comes in a lot of different configurations to fit different needs. The web site has complete technical information including drawings and installation details.

I used the V-600 product but there were no distributers near me so I ordered direct. A box that covered 48' was $150 but I don't remember if that included shipping. I only needed 44' but the full box was cheaper.

Take a look at it. We have not had any indication of leaking but with my standing seam metal roof it might take huricane force winds to drive any water inside

 

[RonMar]

I am living proof that you can only make things idiot resistant, not idiot proof!

Yeah, me too.

Can you access the attic space to see where the water is actually comming from? On my current home I cannot without much difficulty for several feet on either side of the roof peak as the center attic space was converted into a habitable space many years before I bought it. Replacing the peak vent may fix your problem, but it would be a shame to put in a new one and discover that the problem actually lies elsewhere.

The only issue I have ever had with a peak vent was in a house we rented in upstate NY. One year we had a really big snow buildup on the roof and a quick thaw period after that. A bit of snow had built up a cornice on the peak and some had found it's way back into the peak vent. It was like the first type vent heehaw described. It would not have been as much of a problem I think with the second type he described.

Good Luck

 

[davitk]

Use a semi-rigid shingle over type with external baffles to keep the wind driven rain out. The mesh type is too soft - I had to replace one damaged by hail. I believe HD carries Cobra 'Snow Country' or something similar - looks like a good bet.

Those exposed aluminum ridge vents are light weight and if removed/reinstalled could have easily been damaged. Look it over and if it's torn aywhere, replace it.

 

[pennwalk]

We have used the original Cobra vent (the black thick fabric type) for years with no problems at all. Recently we started using the plastic Cobra vent (the roll version) on certain jobs and if you do not have any experience using the fabric version then go with the plastic one as it is idiot proof (don't take that as an insult towards you). The fabric version requires some care when you are applying the cap shingles while the plastic version doesn't.

Robert, Is the issue with the fabric cobra vent that you have to be careful not to nail the cap shingles down to tight and compress the fabric?

Chris

 

[pennwalk]

David- you're inspiring me to become an idiot ( that is a step up from dummy?)

Is the drops from condensation or rain? With this wacky weather I have had water drops on my garage ceiling from the warm moist air condensing on it. And I like the Plastic ridge vents with the fiberglass mesh inside and baffle on the outside. -Ed

I'm not sure. It could be condensation but I think it is more likely hard rain seeping in.

Chris