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End caps for ridge vent

Jamie_K | Posted in General Questions on

Our roofer did great job except he did not follow way to cut down and then fold under to make solid end cap piece on ends of ridge vent so that bats, rain, snow will not get in. Looks like he did two different things w the roofing’s asphalt shingles in each end (pic of each end attached) to try to do his own make shift end caps.

Any suggestions on what to do now to close them up/off properly? CoraVent 300 series made of polypropylene does not make an end cap that will fit available.

We thought about maybe great stuff foam insulation sprayed in big hole, let it set up, then some type of caulk or silicone to waterproof whole end. Can anyone recommend a good silicone or caulk that bonds well to both plastic vent and asphalt shingles?

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Replies

  1. walta100 | | #1

    The best way is whatever your vents manufacturer recommends in there instructions.

    Generally I see the vent stopping before the vent gets to the end of the roof.

    As shown in this image from GAFs instruction.

    Do you know who made your vent?

    Walta

    https://www.buildsite.com/pdf/gaf2/Cobra-Rigid-Vent-3-Installation-Instructions-B24908.pdf

    1. Jamie_K | | #2

      I had mentioned CoraVent manufactured the ridge vent...and I agree, Walter; however, as stated they did not install (by cutting and folding over) as manufacture recommended. In weighing pros/cons and in talking to manufacture (as roof has already been completely finished), we do not believe it would be best to take it all off and redo it but find some alternative way to plug up (air/water/vapor) the ends as it is installed. I'm looking for recommendations on how to do this, if you have any ideas.

      (e.g. insulation, spray foam etc. of some type...with some type of type of silicone or caulk over it to protect and keep anything from getting in)

  2. GBA Editor
    Martin Holladay | | #3

    Jamie,
    If I were you, I would contact the roofer and make the roofer fix it. Otherwise, you'll need to know how to use a brake so that you can bend some flashing to slide in there and cover up the opening.

    1. Jamie_K | | #4

      Thanks for trying to help me, Martin. Unfortunately, I don't think this roofer is going to know how to do anything any better than he did - nice guy, willing and did a good job everywhere else, this is just how he typically does end caps in our area and has done roofing for 30 years. Luckily, my husband and father-in-law are pretty handy so I think they can do whatever I tell them to - I just need to know what's best.

      1) What do you think about this? I saw this commentary, possibly by Paul Fisette on finehomebuilding (link was broke). "In my designs for heavy snow areas, I run the ridge vent full roof length and leave the ends open, so the two ends are exposed to open air and not buried in snow pack, allowing end venting." If you agree with this concept, as we do get quite a bit of snow in climate zone 5/6, is there some type of screen you might know of that we could cut and adhere at ends so bats, etc. don't get in?

      2) If you do not think open end idea in #1 above is a good idea, what about an end cap like 2nd one down in following link with some caulking or silicone? [Ridge vent (polypropylene/plastic) is 5/8" with added asphalt shingles on top. This cap is 1 1/2" high.]
      http://stouffertech.com/ridge-vent-endcap/

      1. Expert Member
        MALCOLM TAYLOR | | #5

        Jamie,
        Those end-caps are designed for ridges that don't extend to the edge of the roof and also form the overhangs for the facias. As Martin said, you want to bend a metal cap that can slide under the ridge shingles and extend down over the ends of the Car-a-vent strips.

        Leaving the ends open doesn't provide any real benefit. The verysmall amount of venting you may get during heavy snow is outweighed by the increased possibility of water infiltrating at the end of the peak.

  3. cmobuilds | | #6

    It would depend on how far back the slot is cut, I have roofers run ridge vent to the edge of the roof, but the ventilation slot is 1' back from the edge of the wall.

    If the ventilation slot is close to the end of the ridge, as in you can see outside when you're in the attic you have a problem.

    Sometimes roofers run several courses of cap under the ends of the ridge to protect the attic.

    If he did any of these things you shouldn't have to worry about moisture but critters could get in, I think cor a vent comes with the foam plugs you install with roof sealant, they include a bunch per roll, do something similar with something flexible, tin would be a nightmare to fashion compared to some backer rod or something flexible.

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