Roof Leaking Around Vent Pipe

Steps for fixing a leaking rooftop vent pipe.

Roof leaking around vent pipe.

As mentioned there s a rubber boot that serves as a seal to prevent water from leaking in. The rubber boot for the roof vent covers the hole and seals the gap around the pipe. If the collar is cracked or damaged it will need to be replaced. Vent pipe leaks are very common and vent pipe flashing should be regularly inspected to prevent roof leaks.

Vent pipe leaks during heavy rain can occur if you have cracks in your vent pipe boot or flashing. There are many possible parts of the roof potentially leaking but one of the most common ones is the area around the roof vent. These boots vary in quality flexibility and longevity. The leaking may first be seen in the attic but if you don t catch it right away you may see water coming into the house dripping on the floor.

When your roof was installed each vent pipe received a flexible boot to seal water around the round surface of the vent pipe. It basically does the same job as the chimney flashing. Rusty and cracked vent pipe collars will allow the water to first pool around then seep through the interior walls of your home causing great damage. You ll also be surprised to know that a lot of homeowners are at a loss as to why that area is leaking.

This is further sealed with a sealant designed for roofs. Use a pocketknife to scrape rough edges and sharp points from upper end of plastic vent pipe. Cut away the old caulk from around the vent pipe. The roof vent pipe is installed cut through the roof and around the pipe attached to the roof is surrounded with rubber boot as insulation for the gap between the pipe and roof.

A roof that leaks around a vent pipe is a common cause of small water stains on a ceiling or water leaking into a home. In this video this old house general contractor tom silva shows how to create a watertight seal around a vent pipe. Roof leaks around vent pipes is relatively common. Deterioration of the underlying metal flashing and roof cement around vent pipes is also a common occurrence.