Georgia Roof Guide

What kind of roof vent is this, and how do I identify it?

Short answer. Start with three questions: is it a pipe or a hood, does it have a flap, and what does it connect to in the attic? A pipe is a plumbing vent or appliance flue, a hood with a flap is an exhaust cap for a bath fan or range hood, and a hood or dome with no flap near the ridge, open to the attic below, is an attic ventilation vent.

Step 1: look at its shape

Step 2: check from the attic

Find the vent from inside with a flashlight. If a flexible or metal duct connects to it, it is an exhaust cap, and the duct leads to a bath fan, range hood or dryer. If it opens straight into the attic with nothing attached, it is attic ventilation. If there is a motor and wiring, it is a power fan. If you find an exhaust cap with no duct, a fan somewhere is probably dumping air into the attic, and the duct needs reconnecting.

Step 3: look for orphans

Older houses collect leftovers: a cap from a bath fan that was removed, a vent from an old attic fan, or a pipe abandoned in a remodel. These are leak points with no job, and they are usually best removed and decked over during a reroof.

For how each attic vent works, see ridge vent vs box vents, and for pipe vents, pipe boot leaks.

In depth

Does a hot Georgia attic shorten the life of your shingles?How hot Georgia attics and shingles get, what research says about ventilation and shingle life, and when radiaRidge vent or box vents: which is better, and can you use both?Ridge vents vs box vents, turbines and power fans for Georgia attics: how each works, why mixing exhaust typesHow much attic ventilation does a Georgia roof need?Attic ventilation for Georgia homes: intake and exhaust balance, the IRC R806 1/150 and 1/300 rules with worke

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