We have an unfinished bonus room at the top of our that I was cleaning the other day. I happened to look up an noticed daylight coming through the top where the two sides of the roof meet. I know nothing about roofing but did a little research and it looks like there is a ridge vent on the top of my roof. It's a black vinyl/plastic piece that runs the length of the roof at the top. The holes appear to be in this. There are several irregularly placed/spaced hole about 3-5 feet in from the edge of the house. It's been raining quite a bit here where we live all Spring summer and recently but there doesn't appear to be any signs of water around the area or anywhere else in this room and on the inside of the roof. Any roofing guys have any advice?
It sounds ok to me. I'm a builder, and get this question a lot on unfinished rooms. I HAVE seen where the sheathing was cut to low down from the peak. You may have to take picures. The plastic you are talking about is what we call cobra venting. It is similar to coroplast, which is what election signs are made out of. I wouldn't sweat it if it isn't leaking.
Its normal to see diffused daylight in an attic where the peak is visible from inside and a ridge vent is installed. The roof sheathing (plywood in newer homes) is cut back from the two by ridge board to create an air space. When properly installed a ridge vent will NOT leak. Many years ago i got a call from an alarmed homeowner when they discovered this while in the attic. I was unaware it did this at the time and told her there was no concern for leaking. I was a full time roofer from 1986 until about ten years ago when i turned towards more carpentry and repair work. Took over the family business at age 20 in 1988. Hopefully this helps Dana B Any other questions please post pics.
Are you a fan of the rolled type vents? Ive been using Air Vent brand since 1997. And yes in the early years of ridge vents a lot of guys loved to cut the sheathing waaaay back with little or no room to nail.
Shoot. I don't mind Eric. I usually stay out of these types of questions. Few folks actually listen anyway.
I do actually. They have a lower profile, and look better in my opinion. Seem to vent just fine if the soffit has enough venting.
I tried to quit doing my own shingling a couple years ago. Not very fun when you get a little older is it? The problem was I was getting crap work done. The last roof I subbed out was crooked, and step flashing done incorrectly. I even warned the kids that I would look up there, so snap a line every run. I sent them packing after that, and started doing them myself again.
And when someone seals it up with good intentions, but then calls for a leaky roof when icicles form and drip without the ridgevent ventilation.
