Ridge vent hole repair – on the fence
Good afternoon all… I have a nice critter hole in my plastic ridge vent. Please see attached image. Thankfully caught it before any water damage, and the critter situation is resolved.
I have a temp repair (tarp) affixed and would like to expeditiously move to a permanent repair. I have minimal roofing knowledge but am investing time this weekend learning more. But I have a few knowledgeable friends (including a SFH landlord with much experience) who advised me I could DIY this repair by pulling the 4′ section of ridge vent, installing another section, and installing new ridge cap shingles (I would need to source both, but both Lowes/HD carry similar ridge vents and I found the brand/color code for my shingles on a package in my crawl. Would probably try to get ridge cap shingles vs. cutting the 3-tabs I have to fit.)
I’m also considering patching the torn plastic section of the ridge vent and then re-shingling. Advantages would be less labor (not a big deal though), however the bigger advantage in my mind is less project uncertainty since I’m pulling less off the roof, disturbing fewer nails (whose holes have to be sealed), & reducing the scope of the project. Examples of risks I would be controlling are (1) if the new section of ridge vent dimensionally doesn’t match the existing (I’m having trouble figuring out the brand my existing ridge vent so not sure I can replace like-for-like) and the appearance is off, (2) what if I create more issues based on my inexperience, etc. Willing to make mistakes and learn but this is a roof so I’m cautious. That said this portion of the roof is not very prominent from the street so doesn’t have to be aesthetically perfect.
Disadvantage of patching the plastic ridge vent would be (1) if my plastic repair deteriorates over time, or (2) isn’t water-tight from day 1. Since there will be shingles over the repair, I don’t think this would matter, however a driving rain could challenge this. Especially since the bottom edge (relative to the photo) of the plastic is torn away all the way down to the vent bit.
I have to admit I actually don’t understand what I’m looking at in this photo since that more torn lower edge appears to have a clean interface edge on the left (as if between a male and female end of 2 sections), but the upper side that is not torn doesn’t show an interface.
Naturally I haven’t ruled out a contractor, but I greatly respect the opinion of those on this board so figured I would throw this up… It’s been an exciting last few days!
Edit – had to resize photo to upload.
Thank you,
Eric
GBA Detail Library
A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part
Replies
This is a very easy repair with new parts, don't try to fix what is there. You dont need to necessarily cut out a 4' section, the ridge vent is cuttable with a utility knife. You can fill the existing holes but is is probably not necessary, if you want just get a roofing and flashing caulk, or even wetpatch. that looks like the standard surevent from hd or lowes. The only issue is you will end up having left over materials as you have to buy bundles, but fix it right, don't salvage that ridge vent area. The ridge vent will line up as there are standard sizes to ridge shingles that they fit
Brilliant! This is the perfect middle ground solution. Can't believe I didn't think of it but certainly glad you did. This is likely what I will end up doing, thank you very much!
Eric
Eric,
Replacing just a section is a good idea, unless there is a chance the pests will attempt to enter the roof again.
Before I install any plastic spot or ridge vents on roofs, I cover the area underneath with 1/4" hardware cloth.
There is definitely a chance I will see this in another say ~5 years, as my lot abuts a wonderful greenway. I may try to retrofit the construction mesh! I would have to do it from the attic interior at this point, and my addition doesn't have an attic so that roofing would remain at risk but oh well.
Thanks Malcom!
Picked up the accessory shingles today and a ridge vent that might work. The vent ridge is about 1/2" to 1" less wide than what is currently installed. I may use it and line it up with the existing vent on the most visible (front side) of the house, rather than strictly centering. Doing some internet sleuthing to see if I can get an exact match vent.
If I go the cannibalization route described by freyr_design above, how (if at all) would ya'll join or seal the two ridge vent edges? Options that come to mind include roof sealant, roof sealant with roof "asphalt-saturated repair fabric", or epoxy meant for plastic applications.
Thanks again,
Eric
Are your ridge shingles a different width? I’m surprised they don’t line up and wonder if it is how they are bent? For sealing I would use a polyurethane roof and flashing like this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Loctite-PL-Roof-and-Flashing-10-oz-Polyurethane-Sealant-Black-Cartridge-each-1675273/203163733?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&utm_source=google&utm_medium=vantage&utm_campaign=23487&utm_content=25191&mtc=SHOPPING-RM-RMP-GGL-D24-Multi-BI-LOCTITE-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-MK860659001-23487-NBR-17690-NA-VNT-FY24Q1-Q4_D24_RM%2B_LoctiteAdhesivesAON&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-RM-RMP-GGL-D24-Multi-BI-LOCTITE-NA-PMAX-NA-NA-MK860659001-23487-NBR-17690-NA-VNT-FY24Q1-Q4_D24_RM%2B_LoctiteAdhesivesAON-71700000117321906--&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAolLu9-sV45aOt61-pf4wL4Yhmc0M&gclid=CjwKCAjw5ImwBhBtEiwAFHDZx2lITwS2cWcfZtmeNEpKFwha5xSE2F28ktPcPZtxzQFI_OqhPm5GtRoCNqoQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
Eric,
If the new vent is narrower than the existing ones, you still want to centre the new ridge vent so that the cap shingles will line up with the existing ones. I'd be surprised if your existing ridge vent sections were sealed together. They typically rely on the cap shingles to stay waterproof.
“I'd be surprised if your existing ridge vent sections were sealed together. ”
This is true, though I generally add a bead on the join. I also add a dab or strip of wet patch on the shingle nail heads, as the nailing pattern for ridge shingles puts the nails outside the sealant strip on many, which I’ve never quite understood.
freyr_design,
They aren't great are they? Most of the ones I see here are plugged by needles. Lots of nice designs for metal roofs, but the shingled ones don't inspire confidence.
Thank you both for your replies!
1. I haven't compared the ridge shingles widths (installed vs the bundle I picked up Monday), however since they are the same brand and line, should not be an issue.
2. Malcom, roger on still centering the new ridge vent to line up the shingles, thank you.
3. freyr, thanks for pointing out the sealant strip location as something to watch out for.
Overall understand that the standard install of 4' sections won't be waterproof. I just figured that the normal M/F connection would create a more resistant interface than the cannibalization process I'm about to undertake. I may use some epoxy or wet patch.
Thanks again!
I think that's a Lomanco ridge vent. Local roofing supply places should carry it and I believe it's sold by the piece so you shouldn't have to buy a bundle. IIRC, it snaps together to seal the joint, so if you're just cutting in a short 12" piece you could use a sealant for peace of mind.
BTW, what animal was responsible for the damage?
andy,
Funny story:
Last fall I was working on our community hall when looked over the road and saw a neighbour and his friend up on his roof. Being naturally curious I wandered over and up the ladder to see what they were discussing. A rat had chewed a hole through his box vent to get access to the attic. I suggested they put down hardware cloth before replacing it and went home.
Later I found out the whole story. The neighbour and his wife were just going to sleep when they heard chewing,. he decided to leave it until morning, but his wife insisted he deal with it right away. When he got up there he found the rat had chewed through the shoe box he keeps up there full of cash, and was just starting in on the bills inside. He keeps the cash because it thinks it's safer than banks. Sometimes, sometimes not.
Funny story...that was my well trained rat burglar! Almost got away with that heist, but alas all that rat training was for nothing.
Andy, thanks for the ID! I will look further into this.
This was a racoon. Love the little guys but what a PITA. Thankfully she had not started on my life savings!
Yeah, was guessing a raccoon or a rat with a lot of time. Raccoons can do a lot of damage quickly. When I was a kid we had a raccoon in the neighborhood simply known as "The Jerk" because it would repeatedly do seemingly pointless damage like pulling off sidewall shingles or chewing on a window sill. My neighbor had all his newly laid sod pulled up nightly by the raccoon looking for bugs to eat.
As far as the brand ID on the vent, it's just lucky that I installed that exact one a couple times in the last few years. I'm hardly an expert on any other ridge vents.
BTW... I think it's the Lomanco omni-roll based on the vent detail (the chunky rounded detail).
SupremeMobiles.in!