Whether it’s because of physical damage, age, or an improper installation, roof vents can eventually require replacement. Fortunately, the vast majority of roof vents are relatively simple to install and remove.
If you are uncomfortable working on either a ladder or on the roof itself, you’re better off hiring a roofer to replace your roof vent for you. Otherwise, you can do it yourself. Some types of roof vents can even be replaced without even needing a ladder.
You will need:
- A replacement roof ventÂ
- Safety Goggles
- Safety Gloves
- Roofing Ladder (unless replacing a felt lap vent)Â
- Utility Knife (if replacing a tile vent)
- Claw hammer (if replacing a fascia vent)
Replacing a felt lap ventÂ
Felt lap vents are by far the easiest type to replace and aid in creating ventillation. This is because they are located inside the loft itself, tucked into the overlap between two sheets of roofing underlay. Simply carefully remove the damaged vent and place another one exactly where the first one used to be.Â
Manthorpe Felt Lap VentReplacing a Tile vent
Ascend the ladder with a new tile vent. The original should be removed carefully by pushing up the tiles that are directly over it, and then rotating the vent anti-clockwise to free it. Then you can place the new tile vent. If you don’t use exactly the same type as the original vent the aperture might be slightly too small. If it’s slightly too small you can just widen it with a utility knife. If it’s a little too big it doesn’t matter, you don’t need a totally snug join. Once you’ve pushed it in, rotate it clockwise to lock it closed, then move the top two tiles back down.Â
Replacing a Soffit Vent
You want to have exactly the same size of Soffit vent as the one that is being replaced. This is because unlike with underlay, cutting a hole in soffit boarding is more difficult. Go up the ladder, remove the damaged soffit vent and replace it with the new one. Sometimes soffit vent damage is accompanied by damage to the soffit board itself. If after the new vent is placed there are any visible holes in the soffit board, apply small amounts of roof and gutter sealant.Â
Replacing a Fascia Vent
Fascia vents will require a claw hammer to replace. This is because they are nailed in, so you will need something to pull out the nails and something to nail in the replacement vent. Fascia vents also tend to be interlocked when placed in. If yours are, you need to find a replacement that is exactly the same so that it is guaranteed to lock in in the same way. So pull out the first nails, pull out the first vent, lock in the second vent and then nail the second vent into place.
