All kinds of critters and creatures can get to your roof and make it, or your attic, their home. Not only is their scratching and scampering around annoying, but their invasion into the structure of your home can cause damage and more inconveniences. We’ve heard all kinds of stories about birds, squirrels, raccoons, bats, bees and ants, and many homeowners want to know how to keep these pests away from their home. So, we’ll give you some advice on how to keep pests out of your attic and off your roof.
If you are tired of that steamy bathroom after your shower, or have “install bathroom vent” on your DIY list for your home, we’ve got some tips that will help you do it correctly and avoid some common mistakes that could cost you big in the long run.
If you’re thinking that you can use an existing vent, or even just vent into the attic, you’ll want to stop right there! If you plan to tap into an existing vent pipe, you could block the venting of the original source and create big problems at that location. Now, if you’re thinking about venting into the attic, you’ve got some problems just around the corner. You will be venting warm, humid air into your attic which is not a good idea, as it raises the temperature of your attic. As well, venting that warm, humid air into your attic in the winter causes even more humidity and moisture to collect in the attic, leading to possible damage to your attic, walls, and potentially worse.
Now that we are on the same page with “What Not To Do,” let’s get that vent installed!
Figure out where you will install the vent
Pick the spot in your bathroom where you want to install the vent.
In the attic, make sure there are no obstructions for the vent pipe from the bathroom ceiling to the roof (make sure you have a truss or stud to mount the vent to in the bathroom from overhead).
It’s a good ideA to drill a hole from the attic into the bathroom ceiling to mark your installation location.
Mount the vent into the ceiling
Cut the hole overhead in the ceiling (following the manufacturer’s instructions).
Install the vent into the ceiling.
Attaching the vent pipe
In the attic, attach the vent pipe from the vent up to the roof.
Mark the roof where you will cut the opening for the vent pipe and roof hood.
Drill a hole in the center of your mark, and leave the drill bit in the hole so you can find it outside on the roof.
Installing the vent hood
Using a jig saw, cut a 4” round hole using the center point of the hole from your drill.
Measure out a square around the 4” hole slightly larger than the vent pipe.
Use a “hook blade” to cut away the asphalt shingles around the 4” hole.
Pry up the shingles around the square gently.
Using asphalt roof cement, apply a bead around the bottom of the vent.
Slide the vent under the shingles, so they cover the vent flange.
Nail the corners of the flange, and cover the nail heads with roofing tar.
Install the vent pipe
In the attic, install the vent pipe to the vent hood from the underneath.
If you have any questions, or find this is a project that you feel more comfortable hiring a roofing company to complete, feel free to contact us at www.pacificwestroofing.com to schedule a consultation with one of our specialists. Since 1980, Pacific West Roofing has been the choice for roofing service in Portland.
