AskARoofer.com > Q&A - Keeping out unwanted houseguests

Q&A - Keeping out unwanted houseguests

September 7, 2024 at 12:00 p.m.

A Floridian homeowner wants to make sure she doesn't have any suprise critters visit her through her roof's gooseneck vent.

Sylvia from Florida was looking for ways to keep unwanted guests out of her home. For some extra advice, she asked our AskARoofer experts their thoughts. Here's what she said:

I have a gooseneck vent installed on my roof above my bathroom. It has a wire screen installed on it so that critters can’t get in. But, what about rats that come up from the sewer? If they get to the top of the vent stack, can they then squeeze between the vent stack and the gooseneck to go back down and enter the attic?

One of our roofing experts, Erica Reed from Elite Construction Solutions responded with this:

The wire screen on your gooseneck vent is designed to prevent critters, including rats, from entering. Rats are indeed very resourceful and can squeeze through tight spaces, but if the screen is properly installed and in good condition, it should effectively block their entry.

Here’s how it works:

Wire screen: The screen is the primary defense. If the mesh size is small enough, it will prevent rats from squeezing through.
Fit between vent stack and gooseneck: The connection between the vent stack and the gooseneck should be tight. If there’s a gap, it might need to be sealed properly with a material like metal flashing or a similar durable substance.
Rats in the sewer: While rats can enter the sewer system, it’s uncommon for them to climb up through plumbing vent stacks and then find their way through your roof vent, especially if the screen is intact.

Things you can inspect:

Inspect the screen: Make sure there are no holes or damage in the wire screen.
Seal Gaps: Ensure there are no gaps between the vent stack and the gooseneck.
Regular maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain the roof vent to ensure it remains secure and critter-proof.

If you’re concerned about rats or other pests, it might be a good idea to have a pest control professional inspect the area to ensure it’s secure.

Another expert, Bridgit Wilson of Cardinal Roofing chimed in:

I haven't seen this as being a problem with any of the homes we have worked on, from a roofing perspective. Not being an exterminator, I consulted with an exterminator friend and she said, "Rats can get in anywhere; if they want to, they will." I just don't see the appeal for them to do so. Hopefully there isn't a food source in the attic and if you keep your home well maintained and extermination services up to date, you should be able to avoid this issue.

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