The cap isn't just for debris, it is to keep animals out as well. This is
especially true in the cold winter months during which animals want to find
warm spaces, such as one might find by crawling through your vent stack.
If you have access to remove the cap in the winter you have access to knock
the ice off. Do that and use the winter months to locate a different cap
that won't cause the same problems but will keep the animals outside.
Roof Vent Ice
Summary: A roof vent cap can keep debris out of the vent, but it can also ice up in the winter. This ice can block the roof vents. Can the cap be removed?
DEAR TIM: My
vent pipe running thru the roof extends about 30 inches
above the roof and has a metal cap on it to keep debris out. Ice formed
at the end of the vent pipe and blocked it. Do I need this
cap on the
vent, it seems to create ice and block it, Can I leave the vent pipe
open with no debris cap on it? Cleon Shafer, Coram, Montana
DEAR CLEON: I can see why the ice forms, as you sure get cold temperatures there. The water vapor rising from the plumbing system readily condenses, and then flash freezes on the cap. As this happens continuously in bitter-cold weather, it's no wonder the plumbing vent clogs with ice. When this happens, the plumbing system will get starved for air.
The bottom line is that you can remove the cap. I can't imagine why you would need it in the winter. Not seeing your house, I would think it may have been put on to stop debris from overhanging trees. But if those are deciduous, they have dropped their leaves by now.
DEAR CLEON: I can see why the ice forms, as you sure get cold temperatures there. The water vapor rising from the plumbing system readily condenses, and then flash freezes on the cap. As this happens continuously in bitter-cold weather, it's no wonder the plumbing vent clogs with ice. When this happens, the plumbing system will get starved for air.
The bottom line is that you can remove the cap. I can't imagine why you would need it in the winter. Not seeing your house, I would think it may have been put on to stop debris from overhanging trees. But if those are deciduous, they have dropped their leaves by now.
Once there is no snow or ice on the roof, I would periodically check the vent pipe to ensure it is free of any organic debris. If the vent system is connected correctly to the drain pipes, you can insert a garden hose into the vent pipe to flush debris into your sewer or septic system.
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Comments:
Charlie Chipmunk 23 Dec 2008, 20:12
Scott Cole 05 Mar 2009, 16:19
I have the same problem with the vent cap for the bathroom fan vent. Ice
forming and dripping into the bathroom. Heavy snow here. Is there a better
vent/cap. Ours is brown plastic and flat.
majdi 31 Mar 2009, 12:20
to protect your vent from ice or any falling objects , easily you can make
bend by using 2 nos. of elbow 90 degree. to reverse the vent cap direction
from up to down .
fulfer 05 May 2009, 09:31
gas heaters have vent pipes too???
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