6 Common Turbine Roof Vent Problems to Look Out For

Your turbine roof vents provide much-needed ventilation to your attic space with zero electricity costs, so it's easy to forget about them. However, you may have reasons to suspect something is wrong with your vents. Here are the six most common turbine roof vent problems that you may run into.

What Is a Turbine Vent?

Turbine vents sit on top of your roof and offer additional ventilation for your home via wind. They’re sometimes called whirlybirds, which is an apt name since they spin. These vents take the hot air in your attic and pull it outside. This helps prevent mold and mildew growth, ice dam formations, wood rotting, and more.

Although some people don’t like the way they look compared to other types of roof vents, their functionality is reason enough to install them. After all, they’re generally more effective than the more discreet ridge vents. Turbine vents offer a lot more airflow and work year-round in any climate. The following breaks down the most typical issues you might encounter with your turbine vents. 

1. Clogged Vents

Since turbine vents sit on top of your roof, it’s easy for them to get clogged, especially in the fall and winter months. You might get leaves, twigs, or even a bird nest in your vents. And in the colder months, clogs can develop in the vents due to huge amounts of snow or ice.

When your vents are clogged, your turbine won’t work properly. This can lead to heat buildup in your attic space, which can have consequences like higher moisture levels and mildew growth.

To fix clogged vents, you need to get a pro to clear out any debris and clean the blades. If you fail to fix the clogs, you’re likely to notice signs of poor attic ventilation, including ice dams, extreme heat in your attic, and deteriorating roof materials.

2. Lack of Wind

Since your turbine roof vent relies on windpower to spin, a lack of wind can lead to a lack of ventilation. Your turbine needs winds of 5 to 6 miles per hour, so on less windy days, you’re not going to get the airflow you’re hoping for.

On days with no wind at all, you can expect some heat to rise and escape through the vent, but it won’t be as effective as ridge vents. This is something to consider if you’re trying to decide between a ridge vent versus a turbine vent.

To ensure your vent gets the most wind possible, you should install these vents high on your roof on the windward slopes.

3. Noisy Vents

There are several reasons your vent might be noisy. It might be a routine maintenance issue because your vent blades will require lubrication over time.

If it’s a lubrication problem, you’re likely to hear squealing sounds. However, the squealing sounds could also be due to corrosion. Most turbines are made of aluminum, which is rust-resistant, but if your vent is older and hasn’t been maintained, you may need to clean off the rust or replace the unit entirely.

Additionally, you may notice clattering sounds, which usually point to physical damage. If you happen to be in the middle of a snow or ice storm, however, there may be ice buildup on your blades that is causing the odd sounds. Once the ice melts, your turbine vent should go back to its usual, quiet operation.

4. Damage From Severe Weather

Turbine roof vents are fairly rugged and can withstand most weather, but you may notice problems if your area gets severe weather. For example, a bad hailstorm can dent a blade or two, which causes your turbine to get off-kilter and spin erratically. Even worse, your whole vent can get knocked off your roof during a serious hurricane.

You’ll need to repair or replace your vent depending on the damage. Besides the turbine unit itself, if there’s damage to the flashing, you should take care of it right away to prevent leaks.

If you’re expecting a particularly bad storm, you can use a vent cap to ensure you won’t deal with turbine damage or leaks. You simply remove the turbine heads and replace them with a cap that fits snugly over the opening.

5. Leaks

Turbine roof vents can normally handle heavy rain. However, you may notice leaks in your attic space from your vent. This can be very problematic since mold and mildew can form and even lead to wood rot.

The most common cause of leaks at a turbine vent is the base flashing—your flashing may have physical damage, which could allow water to leak underneath the vent. If you don’t notice any visible damage, a bearing may have gone bad, causing your turbine to spin off balance and allowing rain to leak inside the house. 

Or, you may need to reinstall the sealant around the base. Also, check your connections and fasteners to make sure they’re in good shape, and replace any worn or damaged parts. 

6. Improper Installation

Professional vent installers should have no problem getting the job done correctly, but it can be tricky for a DIYer. If you make any miscalculations or mistakes during the installation process, you can have issues ranging from vents not working at all to leaks in your home.

Turbine vents have to be perfectly level, or they won’t spin no matter how much wind there is. Also, the placement has to be just right so the vent can get as much wind as possible. Finally, any mistakes when installing the turbine parts, fasteners, or flashing can lead to leaks.

To avoid issues, hire an attic fan installer near you to help you get the job done.