How Can Roof Repairs Affect My HVAC System?
In the spring and summer of 2025, Lubbock has seen its fair share of hailstorms, leading to unavoidable roof damage. Many homeowners have already had or scheduled fixes, but there is a common side effect of roofing that many people never consider. Roof repairs can unintentionally damage your HVAC exhaust vents, causing them to separate or disconnect in the attic.
When roof vents get bumped, bent, or accidentally disconnected during roofing work, your furnace or water heater may begin venting exhaust into the attic, instead of safely outside. Because this damage is hidden above your ceiling, most homeowners never know there’s a problem until bigger issues appear like uneven heating, rising energy bills, or strange attic odors.
That’s why a quick HVAC safety check is a smart idea after any roof repairs, and at Lowery Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning, we’re offering attic vent safety checks to keep your home protected, efficient, and safe.
How Roof Repairs Can Impact HVAC Venting
If any part of your HVAC system gets damaged during roof repairs, it’s likely one of two types of combustion vents:
1. The Furnace Flue Vent
The furnace flue vent’s job is to carry combustion gases from a gas furnace, through the attic, and out of the house. This typically includes gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor, and small amounts of nitrogen oxides.
2. The Water Heater Vent
The water heater vent serves a similar purpose as the furnace flue vent, but it is connected to gas water heaters instead of the furnace.
Both of these vents are also often called flue pipes, exhaust vents, or combustion vents and play a key role in keeping your home safe and the air breathable. Duct systems regularly lose 20-30% of their air from leaks or poor connections, so even a slight shift can significantly reduce energy efficiency (ENERGY-STAR, Duct Sealing).
What Happens During Roof Repairs
Here are a few things roofers do after hailstorms to repair your roof, depending on the damage:
- Remove or replace shingles
- Tear out old flashing (thin metal that seals pipes, chimneys, and skylights)
- Lift attic vent pipes and reposition them
- Replace damaged vent caps
During these repairs, the exhaust vents can become disconnected in the attic, vents could get crushed or bent, or vent caps could get knocked off. This is not negligence on the part of the roofer; these are frequent, common side effects.
Signs Your Exhaust Vent May Be Disconnected
If there is a problem with the vents in your attic, there will often be signs. Watch out for:
- Weak airflow
- Uneven heating
- Running for longer than normal
- Increased energy bills without habit change
- Furnace shutting off frequently
- Musty attic smell
If you notice any of these signs, especially if you’ve had recent roof repairs, it’s important to call an HVAC professional as soon as possible. Fixing a small issue right now can keep your home safe and prevent large repairs down the road.
Why It’s Worth Scheduling a Safety Check
You took the right step by repairing your roof to protect your home. Now, it’s time to make sure the systems beneath it weren’t affected. A quick attic inspection can:
- Confirm proper vent connection and alignment
- Prevent major repairs later caused by overworked equipment
- Protect indoor air quality and home safety
Even small vent gaps can allow exhaust to circulate in the attic before eventually entering living spaces, especially as temperatures change. A short appointment today can prevent costly repairs later and protect your peace of mind.
How Lowery Can Help
Because so many in Lubbock have experienced roof damage due to storms, Lowery Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning is now offering attic vent safety checks to ensure everything is sealed and functioning properly.
Our licensed HVAC technicians will inspect your attic venting to ensure that gases are safely exiting your home and let you know if any repairs are needed to restore proper, safe ventilation.
Keep Your Home Safe with Lowery
If your home recently had roof work, or you’re planning it, give Lowery a quick call after contractors are done. We’ll verify everything is safely connected so you can relax knowing your system is working exactly as it should.
Call Lowery Plumbing, Heating, and Air Conditioning today to schedule your attic vent safety inspection. We’re here 24/7 to get your vents back to working like normal—because normal is beautiful.