Sorry you had to learn the hard way by having someone install architectural shingles incorrectly. Your vents may not be the problem. These shingles need to be installed in a specific pattern for overlap and secondarily atheistics Is there an access point for the vaulted attic? not much room to move up there anyways. Why the radon vents? on a mobile home top grade?
Radon gas is a serious health issue; it can be released from the soil and enter the house from below. I think my first step is to deal with the incorrectly installed vents.
Unfortunately, that work looks really shoddy, but I think the culprit is the roof vents. Did they remove the original roof shingles before installing the new roof? My guess is that they went over the existing roof, vents and all, because they didn't want to (or didn't know how to) remove and reinstall them correctly. They probably figured that it wouldn't leak if they caulked the living chit out of it.... I would call a real roofer and have the vents replaced (or reinstalled correctly). Have him look for any other trouble spots in the roof while he's at it. It really should be a pretty inexpensive fix at this point.
No, I insisted that the roof be stripped; good thing because some of the sheathing had rotted (OSB; allowed by code I guess) and had to be replaced. I got the vents myself and they were the only ones that Lowe's sale on site. I asked if they would fit and they said yes; but the old vents have an opening of 14 inches, not the eight inches of the current vents. I knew the vents were not installed correctly but this was a no contract cash job; my mistake but I could not afford a real roofer and the guy lied about being a roofer with 20 years experience. I will have to replace the vents myself, I don't have the money to hire anyone; I am almost broke and work has been slim lately; I do website work and help clean apartments part-time when the renters move out. I found replacement vents similar to the original vents installed by the manufacturer of the house on Home Depot's website, online order only, for $39.96 each, before tax. Mulling over trying to use the old original ones or breaking down and spending the money for the new ones. Currently I have plastic over the vents in case we get any storms today or later this week. I am confident that I can replace the vents myself, I have some of the shingles left over from the roofing job, so that is not a problem and I can read up on the net about installing the vents.
Here is an update. Someone is helping me to get the vents, she is not on FHC. I ordered new vents today as well as the vent collars for the plumbing vents. I don't really like doing this; Mum always taught me to be independent and I don't like feeling that I am a burden to anyone. I do hope that I can soon start helping others the way everyone has been helping me.
the thing is that if you have a good watertight roof, everything else is protected especially in a mobile home. I am sure you will find plenty of opportunity to help others as time goes on.
Update, 2/3 of my vents were damaged in shipment. I have contacted customer service and awaiting their response.
Was tar paper or builders felt put on before the shingles? Those shingles were "racked" when installed. Meaning they went straight up the roof rather than follow the manufacturers specifications for a pattern. This leaves the joints between shingles in line with each other with only once course of separation. That is a recipe for leaks. Water could be getting under the shingles above the vent and finding the hole in the decking to leak through. Even if you have tar paper under the shingles the water will travel between the shingle and the tar paper to the hole in the roof for the vent.
I need to have a proper inspection of the roof to see if only that one area was improperly shingled or the whole roof. They got in a hurry because it was getting late, the front side seems to be done better than the back side. There is no way on earth that I could afford to have this roof stripped and reshingled; just out of the question as I don't have the money.
you might consider the possibility of taking the shyster to small claims court. I don't ever immediately jump to the "sue em" conclusion but that guy and his "crew" had their collective craniums up their behinds
I decided to try and get one of the new vents installed today, starting with the one that was leaking so badly. I found a cigarette butt under one of the shingles and the nails are in the wrong place. How hard is it to put the nails in the correct place of a shingle? I got the old vent out and found trash under the shingle over the bottom of the vent (not the way it is done folks!) and the nails were rusty indicating water was getting under and of course down through the nail holes (no caulk on the nail heads either). Dang but it has gotten hot quick, should have been on the roof at 6:00 am but you know how it is, mad dogs and Englishmen.
WTG kimberly!! Also, I remember something about the shingle either should not have been tucked under on one side or they should have been ontop of the flashing or vice verse.
My husband had similar concerns............... But she called the manufacturer and said shingles came on it from the factory?
Yes, shingles can be used on this roof and that is what was on the house new. Did not get the job finished but made some good process. The drain vent is installed and it is not going to leak because I did right just like Mike Holmes says, do it right the first time!
