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TOPIC: Ventilation

Ridge vent question

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I just bought a home up in the Texas hill country and the home has what I would consider a typical Texas metal roof. There is evidence of past water leaks and I had a roof inspector come out. He told me that water is blowing up under the ridge cap (vent). and that I should replace the ridge with one that is 13". First, does this sound correct? Second, I'm pretty handy but have never fixed a roof. Is this a potential DIY project or is ot best managed by a pro? Thanks in advance J
Jonathan H
Cowboy up or go home

3/25/2005
This is possible but there are certainly other things that could be amiss too or instead. Are there any soffit vents for intake? If not, that could be an issue. There could also be a condensation issue occurring. If you wish, send me photos including as much information as you can on the roof and its construction. Todd Miller [email protected] Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

3/26/2005
I have a similar issue; very frustrating. New standing seam roof in NH with high wind exposure. Lot's of rain and snow blew in after installation. Inside not finished at time. Installer came back, sealed ridge with Ice & water shield and installed wider cap. Said roof did not need ventilation (I have continuous soffit vents) but that I could cut away I&W from inside attic once building was insulated and heated. I did this between 6 rafter pairs. Had a wind driven rain last week and the roof leaked again. I stuffed some rolled up I&W back into the slot between ridge board and sheathing to reseal. Back to no ventilation........wish I'd done traditional roof. Any Ideas. Thanks for your time
Guest User

1/4/2006
I should also add that the roofing contractor seemed experinced and was suggested by a builder I respect. In the second installation He supossedly "doubled up" the foam-like material that sits under the cap between the seams.................
Guest User

1/4/2006
I am a little curious if this could be a very low pitch roof. If so, it may be too low for the type of ridge vent installed. I would suggest contacting the manufacturer of the roofing and sending them photos in order to get their input as to what may be going on. My guess is the ridge vent is either "homemade" and inappropriate or has not been sealed properly. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

1/4/2006
Todd, Thanks very much for response. The roof is an 8 pitch so fairly steep....but very exposed to high wind. The contractor made the panels on site from rolled stock and I believe made the cap in their shop. They have been doing this for some time and were reasonably reputable. I assumed I would get a good job and did not research very much. I am seeking another contractor and doing more research. I really want a functional...and dry...ridge vent. I saw an interesting product from Marco Industries. Its called "Weather Tight Ridge Vent" for metal roofs. It has a closure shaped to the metal panels with a pre-applied adhesive/sealant. Above this is a layer of cobra ventilation material. I need specifics on my panel pattern to see if they have a die to fab this for my panel profile. Two contractors I spoke with yesterday were not aware; one promised to research it. They both advised that the remedy would be to stuff cobra material between the standing seams and the existing cap. I'm skeptical.
Guest User

1/5/2006
You may wish to visit www.profilevent.com Also, if you wish, you can email photos of the existing situation to me at [email protected] All Best. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

1/5/2006
I have a metal roof that has some ice build up,I have the eaves vented evry foot with circular vents,to get more air flow in the vents I'm considering replacing them with a continuous vent,appears they come in metal strips about 2inches wide and 2 feet long,does this make any sense?
Guest User

1/7/2006
That would probably have more free air flow. However, keep in mind that your goal is to "bathe" the underside of the roof deck with a continuous airflow. Soffit vents serve as intake but without exhaust vents high on the roof (such as ridge vent), you are not getting the proper airflow. If you have only soffit vents, depending upon the prevailing wind, air will travel across the floor of the attic from one soffit to the other. This will not help the roof situation at all. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

1/7/2006
Todd, Thanks again. The profile vent solution still appearrs to place permeable ventilation material against the panel deck. Is the "Weather Tight Vent" from Marco Industries a better solution (http://www.marcogroup.com/) It has a rubber closure with pre-applied sealant against the panel with ventilation material layered above ?
Guest User

1/11/2006
I was not previously familar with that product but it looks pretty good to me. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

1/11/2006
Todd, Last night I noticed my bedroom ceiling was leaking i went in the attic and it was snowing in my attic. I noticed that one of the vents was missing a slat and the other one was missing all together. Then I noticed it was coming from the top. So we temporarly put plastic up to help prevent the snow from coming in. I honestly have no cloue on Metal Roofs. I bought the house it was on the house. Minnesota is where I live. Do you have any suggestions about how to get to know the roof or what I should do to correct he problem?
Guest User

3/1/2007
I would use the Find A Contractor section of this website to find an experienced residential metal roofing company and have them come take a look at things. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

3/2/2007