What Happens when Plumbing Vents are Covered by a New Roof?

When it comes to replacing a roof, homeowners often focus on aesthetics, durability, and cost. However, one crucial aspect that is sometimes overlooked is the plumbing vent pipes protruding through the roof. These vents serve a vital function in your home’s plumbing system, and covering them during a roof replacement can lead to serious consequences. A lot of DIYers and unprofessional roofers may cut corners and leave you to find out the hard way what happens when plumbing vents are covered by your new roof.

The Importance of Clear and Functioning Plumbing Roof Vents

Plumbing vents, also known as vent stacks or vent pipes, are essential components of your plumbing system. They extend through the roof to allow sewer gases to escape from your home safely. Without proper venting, these gases can build up inside your home, leading to foul odors, health hazards, and even dangerous levels of methane gas. There are often other roof vents, such as a ridge vent, that if not properly installed can cause your roof and attic to have major issues.

Problems that Happen When Plumbing Vents Are Covered or Blocked

It’s not uncommon for many roofing contractors to inadvertently, or lazily, cover or obstruct plumbing vents with new roofing materials. This can happen when the vents are not properly identified or accounted for during the planning and installation process or if they just don’t pay attention to detail. Unfortunately, the consequences of plumbing vents being covered by a new roof can include several issues.

Poor Drainage: Covered plumbing vents can disrupt airflow in your plumbing system, resulting in poor drainage and slow drains. This can cause clogs, backups, and water damage inside your home.

Sewer Gas Buildup: When plumbing vents are blocked, sewer gases are unable to escape and can accumulate inside your home. Not only do these gases produce unpleasant odors, but they can also pose serious health risks if inhaled in high concentrations.

Pressure Imbalances: Covered plumbing vents can cause pressure imbalances in your plumbing system, causing toilets to gurgle, drains to bubble, and water levels in traps to change. These symptoms not only indicate a problem with your plumbing but can also lead to costly repairs if left unaddressed.

Code Violations: In the mid-Atlantic, building codes often require plumbing vents to be properly installed and vented to the exterior of the home. Covering or obstructing these vents during a roof replacement may result in code violations and fines from local authorities.

Make Sure You Hire a Licensed Professional for Your New Roof

To avoid these issues, it’s essential to work with a professional roofing company that understands the importance of plumbing vents and takes the necessary precautions to ensure they remain unobstructed during the roof replacement process. Companies like PJ Fitzpatrick have the expertise and experience to properly identify and protect plumbing vents, ensuring that your home’s plumbing system functions correctly after the roof replacement is complete.

If it is time for a roof replacement, don’t take chances with the guy around the corner who says he does roofing. Trust the seasoned professionals at PJ Fitzpatrick to do the job right the first time. Contact us today for a roof replacement quote and ensure that your home is protected from top to bottom.