Attic Mold Soffit Vents

Almost all homes are fitted with some kind of roof vents at the peak of the roofline be it individual roof vents hip roof ventilation and many homes have gable vents as well.

Attic mold soffit vents.

As a certified licensed home inspector it is not correct to say too much ventilation is bad for an attic unless rain moisture is getting in. A home s ventilation system consists of everything from roof vents to the best attic fans without the right roofing and attic ventilation system your home can become uncomfortable and cost more to cool or heat. For the best results place roof ventilation near the roof s peak and soffit vents in the eaves. 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.

This article series xplains 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. Venting a homes attic is a very important best building practices will say 50 at the ridge and 50 at the soffits unobstructed. Air flows in through the soffit vents and out through the roof vents. Unlike growth in other areas of a home soffit growth does not appear to follow any reliable pattern.

Questions answers about the impact of blocked soffit vents on building roof cavity or attic moisture condensation ice dam leaks mold. First air enters through the soffit vents. Moreover if you have asphalt shingles on the roof attic. Few areas of mold growth are more mysterious and confusing than soffit mold growth.

To avoid rotting wood clumping insulation and mold your attic needs to be properly ventilated. Yet many attics with ventilation far superior to the code requirements suffer from mold issues. Blocked soffit vents invites attic or roof cavity moisture condensation mold the photograph at page top shows an attic whose intake venting is blocked by fiberglass insulation. One house can suffer from major mold growth while the neighbor s home is spotless.

And many homes with terrible attic ventilation are completely mold free. 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. Vents come in various styles. The most common cause of attic mold by far is blocked or insufficient ventilation of the attic space.

Attic ventilation is a two part process. Grab a flashlight and inspect your attic during the winter. If you see dampness or frost you need better roof ventilation and some attic vents. Attics usually have a passive ventilation system in which outside air comes in through the soffit eave vents at the bottom warms up in the attic and escapes through the can or ridge vents at the top because hot air rises.