This is not a woodworking post. It is about a roof turbine vent that failed. Look at the ones you have on the roof your home!
Today
Finally it was cool enough to get on the roof, to look at the turbines. One had been squeaking when moving, if it moved at all. And one was working fine. Here is the good turbine:
And the second one – the loud and squeaky one – is now a bucket:
The second turbine failed. More accurately, the top bearing failed. It is very possible that the top bearing failed because two support brackets failed. When this happens, the turbine can get cocked out of alignment, eventually wearing out the bearing(s).
Why the bucket?
The turbine fins help keep out water during rains. If the turbine does not rotate, windy conditions during a rainy period may drive water droplets into the attic space. If this repeats often, the result could be wood rot and mold growth. To keep out water, and as a temporary fix, we placed an inverted 5-gallon bucket on the turbine base; the bucket must be cut on opposite sides, so it will slip over the throat of the 12-inch turbine base. To cover the cuts, and to prevent water entry in the event of rain, we used what we think (hope!) is a water-resistant tape.
With temperatures soaring into the high 90s again in the next few days, we expect it might be at least three days before we can make permanent repairs. Meanwhile, we will depend on only one turbine to expel the hottest air from the attic. The electric meter will know what is going on, as the heat pumps work a bit harder to keep the house cool.
— Al Navas
About Al Navas