Roof turbines sit on top of houses and use wind current to ventilate your attic. Similar to other roof vent options, these turbines are prone to wear and tear and can meet the end of the line too. If your roof turbine has given out, then it needs to be either fixed or replaced. Determining whether your roof turbine can still go or not is anything but a complicated decision. Simply see if any of your roof turbine’s parts have corroded or broken down completely. If the answer is positive, then a replacement is the only way to go.
Roof turbines can either have their heads replaced or the entire body. In most cases, replacing the head will suffice. The bottom part of the turbine only acts as a stand for the actual head, which does most of the work. So, all you have to do is buy the head assembly of your roof turbine to get the job done. Once you have that, the rest is a piece of cake.
Replacing roof turbine head
The first thing you have to do is get to the rooftop with your new roof turbine assembly and a screwdriver. Make sure to carefully get up there through the ladder. You likely won’t be able to climb while holding the assembly in your hand, so try pulling it up with a rope once you get up there. Now, take out the screwdriver and use it to undo the three screws of the turbine head that hold it in place. Once you’ve unscrewed them, take off the old turbine head and get rid of any debris you see in the base. Now, gently place the new turbine head and tighten its screws onto the base and you’re good to go.
Sometimes your new roof turbine head won’t fit correctly with the holes given in the base. In this case, you’ll either need different-sized screws that fit tightly or you might have to make new holes for a perfect fit. Also, note that roof turbines have a metallic body, which is why you shouldn’t tighten the screws too hard. Otherwise, they’re going to end up damaging the body of your turbine. Once you’re done, make sure to spin the new roof turbine head and see if it spins freely. If you find it stopping or jamming in between, then the next procedure is for you.
Replacing the entire roof turbine
Most of the time, replacing the turbine’s head is sufficient, but sometimes the base needs to be changed too. If you find the new turbine head not spinning as it’s supposed to, it’s an indication that the base of your turbine requires replacement. In this case, you’ll need a full roof turbine assembly to set things straight. Make sure you buy the correct size of the turbine by measuring the old one beforehand. Once you have the right fit, remove your old turbine’s base by pulling off its mounting nails from underneath the roof’s shingles.
Now, you’ll have a hole in front of you that needs a new roof turbine on top of it. Gently put the new assembly into place by having the base slide under the roof’s shingles. Make sure you place the base in the right direction since it is curved to fit according to the roof’s angle. Mount the base by nailing it through the roof. You can use putty or roofing sealant metallic to make it a tight fit and fill the spaces around the base. Once the base is properly erected, you can screw the roof turbine head on top of it.
If the guide above is difficult to understand, here is an in-depth video of how to install a new roof turbine in replacement of the old one.
Steps To maintaining a roof turbine
Now that you’ve got your new roof turbine up and running, here are a few ways to ensure that it doesn’t end up like the old one anytime soon:
- Lubricate the turbine
Your roof turbine relies upon its ball bearings to do the main work. Make sure you lubricate the bearings every three months at least for the turbine to spin freely. Use WD40 or any other lubricant and simply apply it to the bearings. You can also go for self-lubricating models to save yourself from dealing with this.
- Prevent corrosion
Some roof turbines have a metallic body that is prone to rust and corrosion. To make sure it doesn’t catch up, give your roof turbine a clean every couple of months. If it rains, ensure that the water does not remain on the body for too long. Preventing rust is difficult, which is why we would recommend going for aluminum roof turbines.
- Remove debris
Though debris can rarely cause your roof turbine to malfunction, it is recommended to free your turbine of it. Debris usually falls around the base but it can get stuck into the head too. So, clean it up before too much of it gets in and affects the turbine’s performance.
Conclusion
Roof turbines can last for up to five years and more if they’re maintained properly. They often don’t require full-fledged replacements either. Nonetheless, we’ve shown you guys how to change your roof turbine if needed. Hopefully, this read helps you get a successful replacement.
