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How to Install Vent Pipe Flashing On Existing Roofs?

Vent pipe flashing is a necessary installation for homes with vent pipes. It prevents water from entering the roof and damaging your home’s framing, insulation, and possibly even the home’s interior.

The good news is that Installing vent pipe flashing on an existing roof isn’t very difficult — you just need to know how to do it. Luckily, you came to the right place to learn how to install vent pipe flashing on the existing roof.

We’ll go through the entire process, including the materials and tools needed.

Why Is It Crucial to Have Vent Pipe Flashing?

The primary reason for adding flashing on your roof is to prevent leaking. This will aid in prolonging your roof’s lifespan in the long run. 

It is vital to understand the state of flashing on your roof to help decrease the water damage. An average roof flashing lasts between fifteen to twenty years when applied correctly. However, the durability range depends on where you live. In wet, rainy, or snowy areas, the lifespan could be less.

What Are the Required Tools and Materials?

Before you climb up to your roof, you need to walk to the nearby hardware store. Finding the required materials and tools is easy, and you don’t require a lot. Below are the tools and materials you will need to install a vent pipe flashing on your existing roof.

  • 4-in-1 screwdriver
  • Caulk
  • Caulk gun
  • Hammer
  • Ladder
  • Pry bar
  • Putty knife
  • Roofing cement
  • Roofing nails
  • Rope 
  • Vent flashing

Ensure that you safely bring all the materials and tools up to the roof. Also, be sure to put any safety gear on before heading up.

Steps On How to Install Vent Pipe Flashing On an Existing Roof

Installing vent pipe flashing is a simple job one can do by themself without hiring an expert. Therefore, after gathering all the necessary tools and materials, it is time to get the job done.

  • Loosen The Shingles

Once you are on top of the roof, the first step is to loosen the shingles. Use a pry bar to pry back the shingles above and on the sides where you intend to fix the flashing. A putty knife is a credible alternative that works well if you don’t have a pry bar. Slide it beneath the bottom of each shingle and break the seal.

  • Install The Flashing

The next step is to put the new flashing over the vent properly. The installation should happen underneath the pried back shingles but above the bottom. The easiest way to do this is to turn the flashing into place as you lower it down until it’s snug around the pipe.

  • Hammer Away

Hammering is the third step when installing vent pipes on an existing roof. It helps in ensuring that the sides and top shingles are bent back. Additionally, you have to double-check that the metal of the nails matches the flashing metal. Failure to do that can cause a chemical reaction that leads to corrosion and erosion over time.

  • Applying Sealant

Lastly, use roofing cement to seal the nail heads and around the flashing edges. Also, seal any place where there are exposed cracks or gaps. This helps guarantee that water or moisture will not get into an area that could cause a leak.

Advantages of Vent Pipe Flashing On a Roof

Vent pipe flashing is a crucial construction practice extensively used in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. The flashings play a paramount role for various reasons:

  • Flashings prevent a roof from being vulnerable to leaks which significantly increases its lifespan.
  • Vent pipe flashing provides a waterproof block to the roof that collects water oozing through it and diverts it back out of the top.
  • Flashings offer extra protection from seepages in areas open to expansion, contraction, or the accumulation of precipitation.
  • Vent pipe flashing reduces the risk of leaks in your building interiors and halts moisture-related growth of damp or mold.
  • Flashing delivers an aesthetic charm by outlining the roof edge to appear sleek, neat, and polished.
  • Flashing membrane stops insects from gaining access to the roof and causes damage to your roof structure.

Vent Pipe Flashing Installation FAQs

There are a lot of crucial questions homeowners shy from asking concerning vent pipe flashing. Some of these questions include the following:

Should You Hire a Professional Roofer to Install a Vent Pipe Flashing?

There are times you’ll need a professional roofer to install a vent pipe flashing, and there are times you won’t. Depending on your roof’s condition, some vent pipe flashing installations are straightforward, while others require professional intervention.

If you’re new to roofing, you should wait until your skills improve before attempting this installation on your own. But if the project isn’t too complicated, don’t shy away from giving it a go yourself.

Should You Remove Old Flashing Before Installing New Vent Pipe Flashing?

No. You shouldn’t remove old flashing before installing vent pipe flashing unless the roof doesn’t have proper ventilation, and you want to add it for better insulation in your attic space.

What Are Some of the Best Vent Pipe Flashing Installation Tips?

Several things can go wrong during a DIY project like this.

To prevent that, you need to follow specific vent pipe flashing installation tips. One of the best ones is that you should use a flat blade screwdriver instead of nails for securing the metal into place.

You also must be careful when cutting the shingles to prevent tearing. If you’re not sure how to do it, just call a professional and get the vent pipe flashing installed right away.

Final Words

Vent pipe flashing installation is an easy job that you can handle by yourself. However, if you find the work overwhelming, you can hire the services of a qualified roof plumber to do the task at a cost. Thankfully, all our experts at Roof Master are up to the task.

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