Roof vent leaking is always a problem. When the water leaks through the roof, it will cause a big mess. More than just that, it can also cause water damage to the roof and attic structure that can expose your family to a dangerous risk of collapsing structures and possible mold infestation.
Roof Vent Leaking
Many possible parts of the roof potentially leak, but one of the most common ones is the roof vent area. The roof vent pipe is installed and cut through the roof, and around the pipe attached to the roof is surrounded with rubber boots as insulation for the gap between the pipe and roof.
Unfortunately, rubber boot damage often becomes the main cause of roof vent leaking. Sun exposure and heat, especially during the summer, can cause the rubber boot to crack, creating space for water to leak in. Other causes of leaking roof vent are including broken seams on the metal base, loose nails, and rusty metal collars around the vent pipe.
Read also: Tips to repair a leaking roof vent pipe collar
When the roof vent is leaking, the actual cause must be identified first. Given the most common cause is a cracked or damaged rubber boot, the ideal solution is to remove it and replaced it with a new one. For this, it is better to hire a professional roofer to handle the work. However, a leaking roof vent usually happens at the worst time.
You notice a dripping sound from the attic during the heavy rain and found dripping water allegedly from the roof vent leaking. Dealing with roof vent leaks during heavy rain can be very challenging.
You can’t call a roofer to come, and you can’t even try to climb to the roof to find the cause and fix it. It would be very dangerous to do. What you need is an emergency solution to contain the damage and prevent it from getting worst.
Quick Fix from Inside
As you won’t fix the roof vent leak from outside, an emergency fix must be done from under the roof or the attic. This is how to stop a roof leak in the rain:
Contain dripping water
The immediate thing to do is to contain dripping water from the leak. Across the joists, lay a piece of plywood and put a bucket to contain the water and if necessary, prepare a second bucket to replace the first when already full. Use a sponge to absorb any standing water. It is important to prevent water from damaging the ceiling.
Find the water entry point
The water entry point may not always be the same as where the water drips. Follow the water trails until you can find the entry point. You may need to cut and remove a few or some parts of the insulation layer.
Make a Temporary Patch
Once the leaking water entry point is found, make a temporary patch to close the entry point. You will need tar, blocking material (could be a piece of roof shingles or a piece of rubber sheet), a putty knife, and a towel.
First, cut the insulation to expose the entry point. Dry the area with a towel. Apply tar to the area and press blocking material into the layer of tar to cover the leak. Apply more tar over blocking material, especially on the edges. Let dry.
The patch would be able to stop the water drips through the leaking roof vent. But that’s only a quick and temporary fix, not a permanent one. Be sure to call the professional roofer to repair the roof vent and fix the permanent solution’s leaking part once the rain stops.
