I had a new roof put on last summer, and I recently gutted the upstairs bathroom. Two vent pipes run up through this bathroom, and now that the ceiling is down, I noticed water dripping down the pipes during really heavy rains. It appears to be dribbling through the rubber collar and flowing down the pipe.
I’m trying to get the roofer back to check this problem out, but it’s been a month and I think I might have to just fix it myself. My question is about the rubber collar on the flashing- should this be caulked? It doesn’t appear that it was. It seems that this would fix the problem, but I don’t want to create a bigger mess.
I should add that one pipe is 4 inch cast iron and the other is 2 inch PVC.
Thanks
Edited 8/18/2003 3:57:43 PM ET by BJC
Replies
I would replace the flashings you have with lead boots. They fold down over the top of the pipe so they're not dependant on a gasket or caulk.
I agree , use the lead boot .
Although I am not familiar with the lead boots and plan on inquiring locally, do these come in different shapes, sizes ?
I do like the idea of it and it makes perfect sense.
There are several vent pipes at two different houses I would like to try these on. All of them are cast iron.
Thanks !
Yeah, lead boots come in different sizes, so you need to know the pipe OD. Most roofing supply houses carry them. My local Lowes has them.
re - Yeah, lead boots come in different sizes, so you need to know the pipe OD.
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Thanks for the reply !
I'll check with the local sources.
Thanks everyone. I think I'll try caulking for now and then look into getting some lead boots when my to-do list shortens up. I checked out the 4 inch stack, and it looks like there was some old roofing cement on the pipe that the roofers didn't clean out and this was causing a bulge in the rubber collar. I'll try to get that our first.
Thanks
Well, I just went up onto my roof, and it looks like my roofer finally showed up to try to fix things. I now have my vent pipes slathered in black goo. This seems like a halfway repair to me - not something that should be done to a 1 year old roof. Am I right or is this accepted practice?
Not as far as I am concerned. The plastic roof cement will be cracked by years end. He should have cleaned the pipe and installed a new neopreme flashing at least . but the lead boot would be the best way.
I once dealt with a leaking neoprene boot on a vent jack, caused by the pipe being moved after the roof was installed, by slipping another roof jack with boot over the first one and wiggling it around under the shingles. Worked fine, looked like it was intended to be there.
A good neoprene boot, correctly sized for the pipe, should be enough.
BJC, I personnelly would caulk, that is, if you are certain it is leaking at that point-pipe/collar. I'd use a caulk, called NP1000, or as the saying goes "Or equal". Good Luck, and be carefull on that Roof Jim J
I don't like the plastic roof cement idea either. I've sealed rubber donut leaks with clear silicone caulk. Used to be able to buy an elastomeric product in 1 gallon pails, but, it's no longer available since MD sold their sealants to GE, too bad. Clear silicone is my next best choice, though maybe too late of a recommendation for you.
Bob