Water Leak from Roof Pipe?
We’ve been grappling with water leaking through the walls of our three-story victorian. Today our roof guy came out and discovered that, in addition to a few small holes in the roof, one of the pipes on the top of the roof was clogged. He didn’t seem to know what those pipes are for–we have…
We’ve been grappling with water leaking through the walls of our three-story victorian. Today our roof guy came out and discovered that, in addition to a few small holes in the roof, one of the pipes on the top of the roof was clogged.
He didn’t seem to know what those pipes are for–we have two, one on each side of the house, they are open on top–and all the houses around us have them. Anyway, he suggested capping the drain in case that’s where the leak is coming from. My worry is that those pipes are there for a reason–and that capping them will create problems for our drainage or sewer system.
We’ll call a plumber out for advice, but does anyone here know what the purpose of those roof pipes are? Or knowledge about what capping them might do?
Thanks so much for the help!
Once you’ve got the pipe cleared, you can buy little vent caps that allow air circulation but prevent rain from getting in.
lah,
Don’t worry too much. That leak I had, caused by a nail, was very unusual. When you consider how little wall space has vent pipes behind it, the chances of a nail penetrating such a pipe was very small. It was also odd that the source of this leak went undiscovered for generations. Seeing what the plumber [my late father in law] went through to discover the source of that problem gave me a lot of respect for pu\lumbers’ detective abilities, although it confirmed my father-in-law’s determination to only work on new construction, with rare exceptions for family.
modsquad,
Working vent pipes CAN become clogged. I had an awful smell coming from the sinks in my dressing rooms. The plumber discovered a clogged vent and snaked it out, solving the problem. Tis was easy on my flat roof–lah might have aharder time getting this done. Of course I WOULDN’T want anyone opening out the cut-off vent pipe at the other end of the house that I deliberately sealed with epoxy cement
Bob Marvin is right about the possibility that it has been cut and sealed from the inside. Before you try to unclog it try to determine if it has been made inactive on purpose. Even an animal would likely deteriorate enough to eventually unclog the pipe.
Yes, I agree about the roofer. I insisted that he not cap them, so he didn’t. But it sounds like they are vent pipes for plumbing as they correspond to the parts of the house where the bathrooms are.
Since the clog is next to the turet on the third floor of the house, I wasn’t going up there to see what the clog was. The roofer tried to clean it using a long wire but claimed it was totally clogged. So, yes, maybe it’s an animal…or debris of some sort. It’s unclear to me how I’d even have them cleaned as I can’t imagine a plumber going up there–it’s really, really high on a pitched roof.
A nail that caused a leak and an excavation into the walls and ceiling? Ugh, what have I gotten myself into with this old home thing?!!
Thanks again.
These may be vents for waste pipes. They should not be capped if they are in use, nor are they likely to be the source of leaks. OTOH I had a leak years ago from a cut-off vent where the original kitchen sink had been removed. Capping the pipe stopped that. I also had a leak caused by an interior nail that had pierced a lead vent pipe (apparently since the house was built in 1899). When the bathtub drain was partially blocked water backed up partway into the vent and ran out of the nail hole. A little solder (after opening the wall and ceiling) solved that problem.
BTW, I’d personally be VERY suspicious of any roofer who didn’t know what a vent pipe was for.
shit sorry again, “victorian” you said, probably not pitch pockets, probably just some new flashing were the pipe leaves the roof. Clogged? With what? An animal?
sorry, seriously doubt that they are causing the leaks unless they need new pitch pockets.
Probably vents for the plumbing or maybe even the top of a drain stack. Very bad idea to cap them. More importantly, I can’t imagine the roofer not knowing what they are.