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What type of contractor should I hire to fix wet wood around the gable vent in my 20-year-old house after a storm, especially with stone veneer?

Asked by Marko Nađ
4 months ago
Last Updated: August 7, 2024

I was up in the attic and saw that the wood around the gable vent was wet after the storm. The house is 20 years old and the wood isn’t rotten…yet. Seems like this only happens after big storms.

Do you think I could tackle this myself? Or should I hire a contractor? And if so, what kind of contractor should I look for? Especially with the stone veneer.

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Matthew Lee

There might be an issue with the flashing or sealant on the outer side

Sofia Hansen

Hey Chaz, I hope there isn’t any drip flashing through the wall under the vent louvre. It could seep through the entire wall below the frame. Since it’s unfinished space, you could extend it inside by 4 to 6 inches and up by 6 to 8 inches. Make sure to extend it up the sides as well. Avoid attaching the louvre through it, only above it.

پارمیس جعفری

You should definitely check it after a normal rainstorm to see if it’s wet. Check again after one with wind blowing toward the vent. It appears to be wind-driven rain from that direction. In hurricane-prone areas, you’ll encounter this at every louvered gable vent. It happens intermittently, only when wind-driven rain comes from a specific direction. High winds can force water through or around flashings. If water is coming through the louvres, there’s not much that can be done other than protecting the materials below in some way. Proper attic ventilation is necessary. I don’t see any house wrap or plastic around the rough opening, which may indicate poor installation. If the unit has a flange, removing it will be difficult with the stone over the flange. I suspect that the vent is flanged. Applying sealant around both sides of the trim work and any joints might solve the issue. I work as an Inspector and I often find numerous issues where this faux stone lacks proper flashing and waterproofing details at wall penetrations and transition areas. Much of this is concealed by the installation of the stone. I hope that’s not the problem you’re facing because repairs would be messy. It seems like the installers did the right thing at the roof/wall transition instead of installing down to the shingles, which is a common mistake I come across. This is a good indication that other details may have been handled correctly. Any skilled handyman with experience in roofing and window installations can apply sealant. It may be necessary to remove the trim to do it properly. If that’s the case, consider using composite trim. It doesn’t rot and maintains its color. Since your trim is already white, there’s no need for painting. Wishing you the best of luck.

پارمیس جعفری

When working with faux stone, you should have at least one layer of tar paper, but double layers are ideal. The tar paper tends to wrinkle, creating a weep plane for water to flow out at the bottom of the stone installation. Remember, the stone itself isn’t waterproof. Most sidings allow some water in, so it’s crucial to have a drainage system in place. If not, there could be hidden issues that are much bigger than a vent. It’s surprising to hear there’s no house wrap – what year was this house built? It looks quite modern, and house wrap has been a standard since the 80s except for a short period.

پارمیس جعفری

I’m also in NC, all the way out East. I’m a licensed GC, Home Inspector, and Termite/Pest operator. I remember now, back in 2003, there was a brief period where wrap wasn’t required. Back in the 70s, we used tar paper, which is still a solid choice. Personally, I’ve never built a house without a WRB. Having vinyl without a weather-resistant barrier can lead to issues, especially in hurricane zones.

پارمیس جعفری

Mentioned that Plywood can also decay and separate.

Eleonora Bezkorovayniy

All it really needs is to be sealed. I’d recommend using a colored silicone. Once you’re up on the ladder, you’ll probably be able to see if water is getting in, regardless of whether they used flashing or not.

Ronja Kallio

Drip moulding on the top and caulking on the sides could help prevent it from deteriorating. Wood can handle being exposed to some moisture, as long as it dries quickly and completely.

Bobby Chambers

Any contractor who works with windows and doors could easily repair it.

Jake Li

Let’s go Bills!

Lucienne Lacroix

Place a drying container on top of that.

Jackson Parker

I wouldn’t risk my life over it. I can’t figure out a safe way to bring a ladder up there.. I remember using a bucket lift once when I had to do some work on a steep roof. It cost me around $400 per day to rent one in North Alabama. Using a tube of Lexel might solve the issue. Maybe you could ask someone with a drone to take some good pictures of the exterior? I suggest getting a few estimates and comparing them to the rental cost of the lift.

Jackson Parker

Decided to rent a trailer and tow it using his 1/2 ton pickup truck. It would have been around $100 for delivery.

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