Roof Ridge/Cap Wind Driven Leak

[hube2]

I have a metal roof.

I was up in the attic and saw snow. It is being driven under the roof cap in a couple of places. Not large. One area is about 16 inches and another is about 32 inches. Using the 16 inch on center trusses to measure.

If snow is getting in I'm sure that rain gets in as well when it is windy.

I don't expect there is anything I can until spring.

Anyway.... is there any way, or any suggestions on how I can seal these gaps without pulling up the entire cap and replacing it?

 

[grsthegreat]

There is supposed to be an rubber insert under the ridge cap. At least there is on my buildings. But their outbuildings and not a house. My ridge is not vented. I have no idea how they keep moisture out of a vented metal ridge.

 

[hube2]

There is supposed to be an rubber insert under the ridge cap. At least there is on my buildings. But their outbuildings and not a house. My ridge is not vented. I have no idea how they keep moisture out of a vented metal ridge.

It is not supposed to be vented, at least I don't think it is supposed to be vented. And I'm sure there is a rubber seal under it. But it appears it was either not installed properly or the wind actually caused it to move. Either way, the wind is pushing snow under it in 2 small locations. I just don't want to have someone pull off the entire cap to replace the seal.

 

[hube2]

moisture, including snow, has a way of finding the smallest of gaps when combined with high wind.

 

[Lineman North Florida]

We call them closures down here, they are usually made out of heavy foam and have a sticky side to adhere to the metal roofing , they also make a hog hair type closure for vented ridge caps.

 

[grsthegreat]

i think they can add them without removing ridge. As i recall the stuck them in afterwards…..
though i cant 100% be sure of this. Its been a number of years ago.

 

[hube2]

i think they can add them without removing ridge. As i recall the stuck them in afterwards…..
though i cant 100% be sure of this. Its been a number of years ago.

Yes, I watched them do mine, I remember them doing something but that was at least 10 years ago.

Amazon.com

They do appear to be something I can put in sections where the cap is leaking with maybe just loosening the screws a bit.

It could also be the the screws have worked loose over the last 10 years now that I think about it.

 

[hube2]

We call them closures down here, they are usually made out of heavy foam and have a sticky side to adhere to the metal roofing , they also make a hog hair type closure for vented ridge caps.

Thanks, didn't know what to call them but found them do to knowing what to search for.

 

[kenmac]

Yes, I watched them do mine, I remember them doing something but that was at least 10 years ago.

Amazon.com

They do appear to be something I can put in sections where the cap is leaking with maybe just loosening the screws a bit.

It could also be the the screws have worked loose over the last 10 years now that I think about it.

I was gonna suggest to get in the attic and use spray foam.

 

[hube2]

I was gonna suggest to get in the attic and use spray foam.

That might also be a plan and easier than working on the roof. But if the screws are loose then that still needs to be fixed. On the other hand, the spay isolation could stop the snow blowing in.

 

[grsthegreat]

i thought about that also, but then i wondered....what if it leaks out onto rook or expands and messes up the ridge,,,,so didnt say anything.

i still remember adding some spray foam under basement windows when i was building house. it expanded too much and wedged windows, and i had to scrape it all out.
can you say sucks

 

[seville009]

Depending on how large the gaps are, just buy some of this foam backing rod and stuff it in. Comes in different thickness.

I use it around my sliding patio doors in the winter to seal off drafts; works great. I just push it in the frame, then pull it back out in the Spring

 

[hube2]

i thought about that also, but then i wondered....what if it leaks out onto rook or expands and messes up the ridge,,,,so didnt say anything.

i still remember adding some spray foam under basement windows when i was building house. it expanded too much and wedged windows, and i had to scrape it all out.
can you say sucks

Good point. If the screws are loose on the cap it could expand and push the cap off making matters worse.

 

[hube2]

Definitely need to come up with a temporary solution. Getting snow and high winds again today. Checked the attic this morning and snow is coming in. Thinking I might chance the spray foam.

but this stuff says it needs to be 60F to work, so might not work anyway.

 

[bdhsfz6]

When I built the house, I purposely didn't install a ridge vent due to the rain / snow issue. It's very windy here and I had heard of too many problems.

The 15 year shingles I used, lasted 25 with no heat or condensation damage. When I had the roof replaced, I used 40 year shingles but the warranty required a vented ridge. The roofing contractor installed one and, sure enough, rain & snow started blowing in. It soaked the insulation and stained the drywall ceiling. I tried blocking the vent in a variety of ways but with little success.

Finally, I bought a few of these shallow plastic pans you put under washing machines.

Oatey 28 in. x 30 in. Plastic Washing Machine Pan with 1 in. Furnished Drain Adapter 34067 - The Home Depot

Oatey Washing Machine Pans are designed to protect floors and ceiling from water damage and stains. Washing Machine Pans are available with 1" PVC Adapter for connection to drain. Oatey products have earned the trust of plumbing professionals for over 100 years.

www.homedepot.com

I laid them on top of the insulation under the spots where the precipitation blows in. I know it sounds stupid but it's worked perfectly for over 10 years. The rain/snow collects in the pans and evaporates over time. There has never been an overflow in all that time.

 

[Carl_NH]

If you have an old chair or couch you don't want with foam cushions just cut strips and insert in between the two sections of roofing under the ridge. Or buy some upholstery foam and cut strips to fit between the two roof sections at the peak.

My barn has the metal roof and ridge where snow does come in too - I and I have a box full of those strips to seal but getting them in is a pain 12' up to the ridge - maybe someday!

 

[hube2]

talked to the guy that put on my roof. It is a vented ridge cap and he advised against the foam.

I will need to fix it from outside by replacing the closures sections, but I can't do that until spring. He thinks that stuffing some insulation in from underneath should be good until I can get on the roof.

I really don't know if this will work. I have tried stuffing things in crack of my shed and when the wind blows hard enough the snow/rain still blows through.

 

[bdhsfz6]

I tried blocking the ridge vent with foam but it just absorbs the moisture and drips down through the vent. Same thing happens with fiberglass insulation. I suppose it depends on the design of the ridge vent.

My roofer also advised against doing it because it could void the roof warranty should something happen. Companies these days look for ways to avoid paying out on warranty claims.

 

[grsthegreat]

Weird, i have an asphalt roof with ridge vents. Never have had any issues. I check attic for damage alot over the years, never an inch of moisture.

 

[Oaktree]

Weird, i have an asphalt roof with ridge vents. Never have had any issues. I check attic for damage alot over the years, never an inch of moisture.

I never have either, but we're relatively protected from wind. My roof is also quite steep which may help too.

i still remember adding some spray foam under basement windows when i was building house. it expanded too much and wedged windows, and i had to scrape it all out.
can you say sucks

Yeah, I've done the same. Amazing how much that stuff expands. A little goes a long way.