Questions and Answers for LOMANCO 12 in. Brown Aluminum Externally Braced Whirlybird Wind Ventilation Roof Turbine

A:  Hello, Gennifer from Lomanco here. That is correct, water should not get in. When turbines are properly installed with a balanced system of intake and exhaust, they should not allow any weather infiltration. The turbine has twenty-one (21) air-foil curved vanes with rolled edges to deflect water. The rolled edges are designed to force the water to run down the vanes & not into the attic. Air-foil means a body designed to provide a desired reaction force when in motion relative to the surrounding area. To summarize, the turbine should be turning at all times when there is outside air movement. The centrifugal force of the turbine also prevents leakage. Centrifugal force is the force that tends to impel a thing or parts of a thing, such as rain, outward from a center of rotation, such as the bearing/shaft assembly in the turbine. It is important that the unit be sealed with roofing cement around all seams, nails, and under the flashing. The part of the flashing that is facing the roof peak should be installed underneath the shingles and the bottom part should be overlapping the shingles. Sealing in this manner prevents water from entering the attic under the flashing. If you have any additional question, feel free to call & speak to Customer Service at 1-800-643-5596.

A:  Hello, Gennifer from Lomanco here. It is recommended to install Lomanco Hurricane Caps when the National Weather Service first issues a Hurricane Watch or Warning that effects your area. By removing your turbine heads and installing hurricane caps, you can rest assured that you have established the maximum storm protection for your attic space by strongly and securely sealing the turbine ventilator openings in your roof. The caps come in a 12" aluminum style or a 14" plastic style. The hurricane cap rises about 2" above the roof surface and will reliably seal the turbine holes for the duration of the storm. If you have any additional questions, feel free to call and speak to Customer Service at 1-800-643-5596.

A:  Hello, Gennifer from Lomanco here. We recommend only installing one type of exhaust ventilation within a common attic area. Exhaust vents pull air from the nearest intake source. The use of two or more types of exhaust vents can cause one of these vents to act as intake for the other. The system can short circuit and cause weather infiltration when exhaust products are mixed. If you have any additional questions, feel free to call and speak to customer service at 1-800-643-5596.

A:  Hello, Gennifer from Lomanco here. The internally and externally braced turbines both have the same internal construction, the externally braced turbines have 3 braces that surround the outside of the turbine. There is no added strength on the externally braced turbine vs. the internally braced turbine. The only difference is the look, some prefer one style over the other style. Either turbine can be installed on the upper level. If you have any additional questions, feel free to call and speak to Customer Service at 1-800-643-5596.

A:  Hello, Gennifer from Lomanco here. I would recommend double checking with our vent calculator, here is the link: https://www.lomanco.com/vent-resources/vent-calculator. Select the roof vents option from the drop-down menu then enter the area that is needed to be ventilated. This will give you the correct amount of louver vents you will need. You do want to make sure the cut out of the decking is not more than what the new vent requires. If you have any additional questions, feel free to call and speak to Customer Service at 1-800-643-5596.

A:  Hello, Gennifer from Lomanco here. We do not recommend covering your turbines in the winter. If the turbine was to be covered it would trap heat and moisture in your attic space. The trapped moisture could turn to droplets and drip down the ceiling below causing damage to plaster or paint. It could also produce mildew, cause rotting conditions, damage wood members and destroy shingles. Properly functioning attic ventilation systems are required year around. If you have any additional questions, feel free to call and speak to Customer Service at 1-800-643-5596.

A:  Hello, Gennifer from Lomanco here. The Whirlybird's bearings are sealed. They are permanently sealed in lubricant to keep dirt and moisture out. These upper and lower ball bearings are to ensure long life and no maintenance. Here is a link for more information regarding our bearings: http://media.lomancovents.com/all_access/sales_literature/lo461_turbine_bare_facts.pdf. If you have any additional questions, feel free to call and speak to Customer Service at 1-800-643-5596.

A:  Hello, Gennifer from Lomanco here. Lomanco turbines are engraved with identification information—letters/numbers engraved on the inside of the turbine head. It is easiest to find the information by taking the turbine head off the base, flipping it upside down, and looking into the turbine head. You should see some letters and numbers engraved on the inside, round band of the turbine that is closest to your face when the turbine head is held upside down. We will need the warranty information along with the size of the turbine, style and the color. Here is more information on the size, style and color: Whirlybird turbines are either 12" or 14". If you are unsure of the size, you can measure the turbine head. The base of the turbine head will be approximately 13" if you have a 12" turbine and approximately 15" if you have a 14" turbine. The style of the whirlybird turbines are either internally or externally braced. An externally braced turbine will have 3 braces protruding from the top of the turbine head surrounding the whole top that spins. Lomanco manufactures turbines in a variety of colors—brown, black, weathered bronze, black, white, and mill (silver) finish. Once you have that information, you can call our main number 1-800-643-5596 and ask to speak to Customer Service, they will help with the turbine replacement top warranty.