Adding A Ridge Vent To Your Roof

by DoItYourself Staff

A ridge vent is regarded central to basic roof ventilation installations. Roof ridge vents are needed for ensuring that the circulation of fresh air is maintained within a construction. The presence of ridge vents is useful for extending the durability of roofing materials, attic installations and elevated rafters that tend to be damaged by the internal heat. Adding a ridge vent may seem daunting to many people but with some basic guidelines and useful tips, ridge vents can be installed without any concerns.

Things Needed For Adding Ridge Vents

New ridge vent
1½-inch roofing nails
Shingles
2-inch chisel
Standard tape measure
Utility knife or Hook knife
Flat bar and Pry bar
Chalk line
Claw Hammer
Circular saw (preferably with a carbide blade)
Extension ladder for reaching the roof

12 Steps to Installing a Ridge Vent

Peel away the shingles from ridge cap of the roof with the flat bar. Some shingles should be saved for later use.
If the ridge is ending at a chimney or a wall, it is advised to leave about 10 inches of shingles.
With the chalk line, make a 7/8-inch long line, extending downwards from the ridge board.
Use the tape measure to set the saw’s depth.
Cut the roof sheeting, using the circular saw and saw until the edge of the roof-sheeting boards is visible.
Use the utility or the hook knife to remove the shingles and tarpaper.
Along the chalk line, saw away both sides of the roof peak.
Use the chisel to sever the wood that hangs from the saw-cut edges.
Use the pry bar to remove the sheeting that has been sawed.
Place the new ridge vents in the space created due to the removed sheet.
Use roofing nails to secure the new ridge vent.
Using roofing nails, start to cover the roof vent with the saved shingles. If necessary, use new shingles.