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INTERIORS HEAT LOSS: How to Calculate Heat Loss in a Building HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET ICE DAM PREVENTION INSULATION INSPECTIONS MOISTURE, MOLD, ICE DAM LEAKS in ATTICS & ROOFS ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE Inspect Building Exterior Comparing Two Houses Inspect Basements for Moisture or Mold Inspect Attics for Moisture or Mold Inspect the Ridge Vent System from the Attic Inspect the Soffit Vent System from the Attic Blocked Soffit Intake Vents Correcting Roof Ventilation Ridge and Eaves Venting Both Needed Continuous Soffit Intake Venting Needed Proper Roof Vent Location Roof Vent Area Ratios Un-Vented Roof Solutions Air Bypass Leaks, Thermal Tracking More Information InspectAPedia ® Home & Site Map Air Conditioning InspectAPedia Bookstore Electrical Environment Exteriors Heating Home Inspection Insulate Ventilate Interiors Mold Inspect/Test Plumbing Water Septic Roofing Structure More Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge Contact Us |
Here we discuss attic ventilation defects at the ridge or high point of the roof, as visible from the attic or building interior. This forms part of chapter 7, "How to Correct Improper or Inadequate Attic or Under-Roof Ventilation in Buildings", part of our discussion of "Attic Condensation". This article describes inspection methods and clues to detect roof venting deficiencies, insulation defects, and attic condensation problems in buildings. It describes proper roof ventilation placement, amounts, and other details. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website. Inspecting the Ridge Vent System from the Attic
The ridge vent cut at the roof ridge or peak extends the entire length of the ridge, stopping just a foot or so from either end, and should give 1.5” to 2.5” of open space (no plywood) on either side of the ridge board for attic air to escape out through the ridge vent.
Fake ridge vents: As depicted by the pair of photographs above, sometimes we find that a builder has installed a ridge vent from outside but s/he failed to cut away the roof plywood to provide the exit air path to properly vent the attic. In this case this lazy man's faux ridge vent installed outside should be removed along with any ridge cap shingles below it. The ridge vent slot should be cut to remove roof sheathing as we described just above (or best, following instructions of the ridge vent manufacturer). Do not cut into the rafters themselves. Then install the ridge vent again and you'll have a working roof exit vent system.
In this case just cut away the building paper to expose the underside of the plastic ridge vent mesh, plastic Cor-A-Vent material (looks like a plastic version of the edge of a cardboard box) or the opening into the aluminum ridge vent (depending on which type of ridge vent was installed). Check that the ridge vent material itself is not blocked by building paper (which you can simply cut away).
In any case, do not cut away roofing shingles over the ridge vent as you might invite a roof leak.
If your attic or under-roof cavity has a problem with moisture or mold, installing continuous, un-blocked, aggressive exit venting at the ridge is an important step. Technical Reviewers & ReferencesParticular thanks are due to experts and also consumers who read these articles and suggest corrections, changes, and additions to the material. Content suggestions, technical corrections and content critique are invited for any of the content at our website.
Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website. If you just "scroll down" you'll miss some important articles. See links at page left. MOISTURE, MOLD, ICE DAM LEAKS in ATTICS & ROOFS | ||||||
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MOISTURE, MOLD, ICE DAM LEAKS in ATTICS & ROOFS ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE Inspect Building Exterior Comparing Two Houses Inspect Basements for Moisture or Mold Correcting Roof Ventilation Ridge and Eaves Venting Both needed Inspect the Ridge Vent System from the Attic Inspect the Soffit Vent System from the Attic Blocked Soffit Intake Vents Correcting Roof Ventilation Ridge and Eaves Venting Both Needed Continuous Soffit Intake Venting Needed Proper Roof Vent Location Roof Vent Area Ratios Un-Vented Roof Solutions Air Bypass Leaks, Thermal Tracking More Information InspectAPedia ® Home & Site Map Air Conditioning InspectAPedia Bookstore Electrical Environment Exteriors Heating Home Inspection Insulate Ventilate Interiors Mold Inspect/Test Plumbing Water Septic Roofing Structure More Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge Contact Us |
More Information on Effects of Building Moisture & Building Diagnostic Inspections and RepairsMore Reading about Dealing with Attic Mold, Identifying, Removing, and Preventing Mold in AtticsBe sure to review HOW TO FIND MOLD: How to Inspect Homes and Other Buildings for Mold - the Basics of How to Find Problem Mold Indoors in our Mold Action Guide. Here are other articles that will be helpful in evaluating attic mold presence, causes, and cures:
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