Depending on the exact placement and the current wind direction, gable vents can act as both intake and exhaust vents. No place to install soffit vents. We are about to redo the roof, and I wanted to know if having gable vents alone would be sufficient for ventilation or should we add ridge vents and/or edge vents? The air flows through the rafter vents to the peak of the roof. I cannot see a way to put in soffit vents. Then, add more insulation on the floor and cover it up with our SuperPerf AtticFoil. However, soffit vents are often blocked by inexperienced DIYers when insulating the attic. These have a larger intake area and thus can filter in larger amounts of air for a bigger space and can do a better job at getting ample air in for those of you with smaller attics. soffit vents and gable vents are able to . Its a non-conditioned space. When night falls, the melted snow freezes and can create an ice dam on the roof and in the gutter system, which can lead to leaks, mold growth, and ice damage. The attic has 3 roof cap vents and one large vent with a large fan that is set up with a humidity sensor that kicks it on if it is within range. Does this make sense and do you have any suggestions that would help? While were replacing the roof, should we add ventilation? I asked a lot of questions and I was never actually shown if my house HAS any soffit vents! Tom can help.. Injecting insulation into the drywall? You can learn more about how that works here: Why An Airspace is Required for a Radiant Barrier. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. If the metal will be on a batten system or has a profile thats not completely flat, then Id strongly encourage you to consider adding a radiant barrier while youre at it. The Code requires "cross ventilation". The key is having plenty of INTAKE air coming in lower, typically via the soffits. Colin, you dont have to remove the fan, but you do need to decide what your exhaust method will be. In a nutshell, yes, soffit vents prevent moisture from doing bad things to your home. Even more, it is going to do a more effective job at insulating those spaces. Photos 1 - 6 show how it's done. Had a furnace guy come out, he said we must have a vacuum issue. . Plus, roofing and attic ventilation systems can protect homes from the expensive roof and structural damage caused by trapped heat, ice dams, moisture and mold. This ventilation system is one that is typically used for those attics that really refuse to comply with more passive methods, so use this as a back up if you need a little push for something that is already existing. You can even add it on top of an old shingled roof, so its easy to install and durable to work with. There are no rafter vent baffles. If none of these options are possible, then we suggest you focus your attention to making sure the floor of the attic space is air-tight by checking ductwork (if applicable), lights/fans/vents protruding wires or hardware into the attic, and any other area of the attic floor where there are openings/holes/seams. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. How To Vent an Attic Without Soffit Vents The standard intake vent for attics is a soffit vent (also sometimes referred to as an "eave vent") and it allows for air to enter the attic down low, near the eaves. Is there a shot term solution to fixing this now that it is winter? Noticed I do NOT have vented soffits and now I have drastic mold growth in the attic. Ventilation is an absolute must when it comes to your attic and maintaining your home. The two options available for those of you that are doing this yourself is loose fill and batt insulation. Remember, what really matters is doing everything you can to make sure that the ceiling under the insulation has no air leaks into the attic, and this is a good practice whether or not you have attic ventilation! Our attic had a big mold problem that was just remediated. We used to have a shrub in front of the gable so it could be from that. They are extremely powerful and are able to move tons of hot air out of your attic in a very short amount of time. Seal up the gable vents and install a ridge vent. Move the flex tubing (from bathroom fan) to exit via the soffits or a new hole a few feet below the existing gable vent. Started smelling fumes in the basement. Dont close off the ridge you want your attic to be COLD. If I were to open them back up and install windows in similar locations would that work? I am a mechanical engineer and have a basic knowledge of HVAC systems but I learn continuously to make myself the best blogger in that space. I am getting two suggestions from contractors for ways to add better air intake and I need your advice. The ductwork has been sealed and insulated. TOM: It's a system. Mary ice damming has to do with having a relatively warm roof (usually from leaking warm air out of the attic floor) and so the solution is to have a super cold roof. Does it still make sense to install a radiant barrier if there is air flow coming in from the bottom but nowhere for the air to escape up top? Adding these to your home is likely something you can do on your own if you do a bit of reading up and have a tall enough ladder. Would it be best to just replace the 2 power vents with newer ones? This time, they added ice and water shield all over (eave to ridge). Seal up the soffit vents and rely on the gable vents instead. Your email address will not be published. Tom can help. They may seem like an eye-sore, but modern technology has afforded homeowners some very aesthetically pleasing options that wont distract from the beauty of your home, can blend in with your siding or brick, and work well to keep the attic ventilated. It may also benefit the interior space removing the heat up high. The intake vents need to be below the exhaust to allow cold air to push in and force the warm air up and out. What should we do? The next winter, it was humid in the attic, so fan was on, furnace turned on, and hot water heater was heating. The rafters have none. The gable vents are at the lowest portion of the attic. So, if your attic is 20' x 40' then the area is 800 square feet. link to Why Ceiling Fan Light Bulbs Keep Burning Out: 8 Reasons, link to Variable Speed Air Handler Pros and Cons, How Attic Insulation can Affect Ventilation, How to Insulate Your Attic to Ensure Effective Attic Ventilation, 4. Does this sound correct? This is great for the summertime, but when it comes to winter, there is nothing worse. Should we put in passive gable vents instead of the fans? These vents allow hot air to escape the attic as it rises to the peak of the roof. What is the fix for this heat? Attic fans generally range in the $100 to $400 range, depending on the quality and brand. If you are really wanting to make sure that your attic is not sucking energy from your home and can properly ventilate, you first want to start with the attic floor. So the attic fan is drawing air out, but theres not enough air coming in, so its creating a vacuum which is causing the exhaust fumes from the chimney to backflow into the vent from the hot water heater. Its scorching up there niw with this crazy Texas heatwave. Formerly I had 3 dormer vents with the gable vent. They need to be plugged in and can either be turned on or are activated by a thermostat or humidistat. What kind? Short of me removing all the wonderful soffit work I did, is there anything I can do? Soffit vents are roof ventilation devices installed underneath the eaves of a roof that extend past the warm wall line. 1. I would start by adding soffits and letting it all completely dry out. If a gable vent seems like too big of a commitment or undertaking, consider smaller eyebrow vents that are mounted low on the roof slow so they can act as intake vents. You also want to choose the type of insulation that you will be using. So with ridge vents you need 1/300th the area, or 800 / 300 = 2.67 square feet of vents. Few years ago after an independent energy audit we had the attic completely sealed and insulated to reach a R-50, even the access trap . I have a split level home with a gable roof. I mean the inside every bathroom, every bedroom, the kitchen, the century-old crown molding? In your attic the inside air (vapor) will travel through the insulation. Ventilation is important and can help keep an attic dry and lower air temperatures, but not having any ventilation isnt the worst case scenario. Adding airflow will help drop the air temps in the garage, so if you plan on using it to work in, that would be a good idea. I have gable vents on either side of the attic and a ridge vent. I wonder, would putting a fan on the interior side of that space work? Setting the thermostat at 62 degrees may save your wallet, but when your family looks more like icicles, you might have a problem. What Is The Brown Wire On Thermostat For. This is hands-down one of the most simple but effective ways to save energy and stop moisture problems in the attic air seal that floor as best as you can! My formerly cozy house is now very chilly and the heater is running continuously. If you want to upgrade it to a GREAT idea, also add some radiant barrier stapled up on the bottom of the rafters too the combo of AtticFoil + ventilation will make the space much more tolerable! It reminds me when growing up we have an attic fan for ventilating the whole house (pre air-conditioning) which was wonderful. Even better, if you live in an area that is prone to lots of snow and ice, these are great options since they are protected by the shingle and are not directly exposed to the elements. BEST WHOLE HOUSE FAN: QuietCool 2465 CFM Classic Advanced Whole House Fan. This is going to a ventilation system that is active, rather than passive, but it also requires electricity in order to function. A venting drip edge is actually pretty easy to install as well and very often, only takes a little bit of grappling with your roof to get the job done. With a venting drip edge, you will likely only have to remove about an inch off the part of your roof that covers the rafters on your roof. All are good alternatives if you cannot install soffit vents; however, a very important factor for good ventilation is good insulation. So you have no soffit. We live in Philadelphia suburbs in a typical builder home built in 1983 of 2314 sq ft. We changed our roof 18 years ago when moving in and its time to replace it again with better performing shingles. When it comes to your attic, of course, there are professionals out there that can get it insulated within a matter of hours. One wants to add the ridge vent. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 9 times out of 10 its gonna come from your leaky attic floor. A passive ventilation system should have air inlets at the base of the roof, usually in the soffits, and outlets in the peak or gables. I do have blown in insulation in the attic. 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