Blocking Attic Vents In Winter

While hardly anybody agrees on the best roof ventilation system everybody agrees some roof vents do hardly any good at all.

Blocking attic vents in winter.

During cold winter months the attic vent fan is not. Believe it or not the cold temperatures outside combined with the warm air down below mean that there can be an excessive amount of moisture building up in your attic during the cold. Blocked soffit vents invites attic or roof cavity moisture condensation mold. In the winter the vents will cause the attic to become cold but this should not damage your home or increase the energy use of your home so covering the roof vents is not necessary.

If the attic is insulated with fiberglass batts just pull back any that are blocking the flow of air. Install rectangular roof vents on both sides of the roof. Rectangular roof vents work best when the wind blows over the top of them rather than into them. The soffit vents are now installed but you still need to make sure there s no insulation blocking the new vents.

Rectangular roof vents installed on one side of the roof only. The majority of roofing experts agree that ridge vents are the most effective and cost effective roof vents available. Taking advantage of this natural process referred to as passive ventilation is the most common way to vent an. They also release excess moisture from your attic during the winter.

Step 6 remove any insulation from the new vent photo by merle henkenius. The photograph at page top shows an attic whose intake venting is blocked by fiberglass insulation. I have roof vents so i have roof ventilation. Roof vents allow air to circulate through your attic and exit your home.

Your attic vents perform another job than just releasing excess heat during the summer. The photograph at left shows severe mold on the underside of roof sheathing in a 1920 s cape cod attic where there was no under roof ventilation. Trim the last vent to length using aviation snips. Attic vent fans pull the cool air from outside into the attic to chill the air during the summer months and aide in the cooling of the home.

You will also discover that this product can work by itself to release moisture from the house which is especially useful during the winter months. Roof ridge vents do work well when there are soffit vents or box vents that help to draw air into the attic. Hot air exhaust vents located at the peak of the roof allow hot air to escape. Vent these fans through the roof or soffit.

Adding a ridge vent is a fine idea and don t worry about it competing with the gable vents. Roof ventilation is a complex topic particularly for cathedral ceilings where there is no attic between the living space and the roof. Blocking the vents can even harm your home by trapping moisture inside the attic.