What To Do If the Ridge Vent Lets In Snow or Wind-Driven Rain

Short answer: Protect the room, document the stain, and have a roofer check the vent brand, fasteners, and shingle integration. Many issues are fixable with a simple re-install or a switch to a vent style that fits your roof pitch and exposure.

About us: Eastern Roof Technologies serves Lake Norman and Greater Charlotte with inspections, roof repairs , and full roof replacements.

First steps inside the home

• Move furniture and electronics. Set towels and a bucket under the stain.
• If the ceiling bubbles, relieve the lowest point carefully so water drains into a bucket.
• Take clear photos of the stain, a wide shot of the room, and a ground-level photo of the ridge line outside.

Why ridge vents leak during winter weather

• Wrong vent for the roof: Some low-profile vents are not suited to very low or very steep pitches or to open exposures with strong crosswinds.
• Install details off: Nails outside the zone, short shingle caps, or gaps at the end plugs can let wind push snow or rain under the vent.
• Underlayment gaps at the ridge cut: If the cut is wide and the underlayment does not bridge correctly, wind-driven moisture can track inside.
• Debris or nests: Obstructions reduce airflow and change how wind moves across the vent, which can pull water uphill.

Quick checks that help the diagnosis

• Timing note: Write down when the drip happens. “Only during sideways rain” or “after blowing snow” is a strong clue.
• Attic peek if safe: Look at the ridge from inside. A narrow wet line under the vent points to entry at the cut, not a random roof leak.
• Wind exposure: Open lake frontage, hilltops, and long unbroken ridges are more prone to wind-driven intrusion.

What not to do

• Do not smear roof cement along the ridge. It traps water and blocks ventilation.
• Do not stuff the ridge opening with insulation. That stops airflow and can lead to attic condensation and frost on nail tips.
• Do not remove the ridge vent and leave the cut open. You will create a direct water path.

How we fix a leaky ridge vent

• Remove and inspect: Lift the cap shingles and ridge vent carefully, then check nail lines, end plugs, and the ridge cut width.
• Correct the base: Bridge the ridge cut with underlayment where needed so water always sheds over, not under, each layer.
• Re-install the vent correctly: Use the manufacturer’s fastener pattern and length, then set new cap shingles with the proper overhang and bond.
• Switch designs when needed: On certain pitches or exposures, a different vent profile or balanced box vents perform better. We will recommend the best option for your roof.

When replacement makes sense

• Repeated winter leaks: If the same ridge section leaks again after a correct install, the vent design may not match the home’s exposure.
• Aging roof system: If shingles are near end of life, a ridge vent change is often part of a planned replacement. Learn more about our roof replacement services.

Next steps

• Want us to take a look and give you a clear plan? Request a Roof Repair Inspection.
• Prefer to talk it through first? Contact Eastern Roof Technologies and we will walk you through options that fit your roof and exposure.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the ridge only leak during sideways rain or blowing snow

Crosswinds drive moisture into small gaps at the vent edges or end plugs. If the vent profile or install is not ideal for your pitch and exposure, wind can push water inside.

Can you fix a leaky ridge vent in winter

Yes. We stabilize first and complete permanent work during the next dry, safe window. Manufacturers allow cold-weather work when guidelines are followed.

Would box vents be better for my home

Sometimes. On certain pitches or very windy sites, a set of balanced box vents paired with open soffit intake performs more reliably. We will show you both options.

Could this just be attic condensation

It can be. If dampness appears after very cold nights without precipitation, we evaluate ventilation and air-sealing. If moisture shows only during wind-driven storms, the ridge vent is the likely source.

Do I need a whole new roof to fix this

Usually no. Many ridge vent leaks are solved with a correct re-install or a change in vent style. We recommend full replacement only if shingles are brittle or the system is at the end of its life.