I learned the hard way that too much “protection” can backfire. Same with my old cedar roof—tried to patch every little crack, ended up with more rot than before.
That’s a classic mistake—I did something similar with my old windows, sealed them up tight and suddenly had condensation everywhere. It’s tricky balancing energy efficiency and letting the house “breathe.” Out of curiosity, how often do you check your attic or crawlspace for moisture issues? I’ve found that’s where hidden problems like to start, especially after sealing projects.
I get where you’re coming from about overdoing it with sealing things up. But honestly, I think a lot of folks worry too much about “letting the house breathe.” Most of the time, if you’ve got proper ventilation in the attic and crawlspace, you’re not going to run into major issues just because you sealed up some windows or patched a roof. I’ve seen more problems from people ignoring basic maintenance than from making things too airtight.
That said, I do check attics and crawlspaces, but not obsessively. Twice a year, usually spring and fall, is enough for most places unless you’ve had a leak or a big storm. I’ve managed properties where people were poking around every month, and honestly, it didn’t make much difference. If you’ve got good insulation, vents aren’t blocked, and you keep an eye out for obvious signs like musty smells or visible mold, you’re probably fine.
One thing I will say—sometimes people go overboard with vapor barriers or spray foam and forget about airflow entirely. That’s when you get condensation and rot. But just sealing up windows or patching a roof shouldn’t cause problems if the rest of the system is working right. I had a place with old wood windows, and after sealing them up, the only issue was that the house was quieter and warmer. No moisture problems at all, but I did make sure the bathroom fans vented outside and the attic had ridge vents.
Bottom line, I’d rather see someone do a thorough check twice a year and fix what needs fixing than constantly worry about every little crack or draft. Over-maintaining can be just as bad as neglecting things, in my experience.
That lines up with what I’ve seen, especially after storms. Folks get so worried about sealing every gap, but honestly, most of the real headaches come from missed leaks or blocked vents, not from patching things up too well. Have you ever noticed how after a big windstorm, it’s usually the neglected flashing or clogged gutters that cause trouble, not the sealed windows? I do think it’s worth checking things after any major weather event, though—sometimes twice a year just isn’t enough if you’re in a stormy area.
- Totally agree—flashing and gutters are the usual suspects after a storm, not the stuff people obsess over sealing.
- I’d add: check attic vents and soffits too. Blocked airflow can cause moisture buildup, especially if debris gets blown in.
- In coastal areas, I’ve seen folks do quick checks after every heavy rain, not just big storms. Sometimes you catch small issues before they turn into expensive repairs.
- Twice a year is fine for mild climates, but if you’re getting hammered by wind and rain, more frequent walkarounds make sense. It’s usually the overlooked stuff that bites you later.
I’m still figuring out my own routine, but after the last storm I noticed a bunch of pine needles clogging up the gutters—didn’t even think about attic vents until now. Is there a trick to checking soffits without crawling around everywhere? I always worry I’ll miss something important.
