Attic Insulation Blocking Soffit Vents

This article explains the effects on buildings caused by locked soffit intake vents and we explain how blocked soffit venting causes or contributes to attic condensation moisture and potential mold contamination problems in buildings.

Attic insulation blocking soffit vents.

Kitchen and bath fans vented into the attic. If the attic is insulated with fiberglass batts just pull back any that are blocking the flow of air. Because the soffit vents are on the attic floor it s easy to cover them with insulation. Vent these fans through the roof or soffit.

Once it s out of the way. Install rectangular roof vents on both sides of the roof. The airflow from the soffits to the ridge vent keeps the roof cool and prevents ice dams and the material will block that flow. Unfortunately blow in insulation can drift.

Most effective ventilation uses a ridge and soffit continuous ventilation system but even these designs can vary from roof to roof. Blocked or inadequate roof ventilation air intake openings at soffits or eaves. The soffit vents are now installed but you still need to make sure there s no insulation blocking the new vents. Rafter vents or insulation baffles install in any rafter space to create narrow gaps that direct fresh air from the soffit vents to the peak of the roof.

Remove any insulation from the new vent photo by merle henkenius. These specialty vents do not affect the. Attic fans are intended to cool hot attics by drawing in cooler outside air from attic vents soffit and gable and pushing hot air to the outside. Gil we clear insulation that blocks the soffit air intake from inside the attic manually by hand wearing appropriate respirator and tyvek overalls.

If you don t know how your roof vents work or if you re unsure about your attic ventilation in general you should talk to a roof inspector about your current system and any inherent weaknesses that may be at. You can remove insulation from inside the attic or from underneath the soffits. Covering up the soffit vents with loose fill or batts which can happen if you stuff insulation along the eaves is a huge no no. Rectangular roof vents work best when the wind blows over the top of them rather than into them.

For the same reason insulation shouldn t touch the roof s underside. On 2011 10 13 by mod remove insulation blocking soffit air intake in the attic.