I had some time before the weekend to find ways to repair the vent pipe leak. I searched the Internet and found a video with Tom Silva from “This Old House” on how to fix a leaking vent pipe. The video was fitting as it was exactly the same problem and it provided me with the complete instructions on how to fix the leak.
Now that I had the how-to, the roof leak needed to be fixed. First, I needed supplies.
I stopped at the local hardware store to purchase a vent pipe rubber gasket and some roofing cement. It was a real adventure trying to explain to the store employee what I needed. It was like playing the “telephone game” with three players. It started with me asking for a vent pipe gasket and ended up as needing a cap for a plastic pipe. Finally, I said the word, “flashing,” and he pointed me to several options. I just needed the replacement 3-inch rubber gasket. I found some roofing cement, checked out and I was ready for the weekend DIY project.
The following Saturday I was ready to get this project done. Climbing the ladder and crawling on the roof was on my mind all week. I was not looking forward to this project.
Before I started, I prepped the roof cement tube. I cut off the tip, punctured the tube opening and plugged the opening with a screw. I slid it into the caulking gun. That was done. I grab the rubber gasket and some paper towels in put everything in a plastic bag. Now I needed to get the extension ladder off the garage wall and set it up on the back wall of the house near the vent pipe.
I assured my wife, Efiwym, that this was no big deal, and I would have it done in a half hour.