Totally agree about the ridge vents being hit or miss depending on installation. I'm a first-time homeowner, and honestly, I'm still skeptical about how much attic ventilation alone can really protect against extreme weather. Does it make that big of a difference during things like heavy storms or heatwaves? I mean, I get the theory behind airflow and all that, but if your roof isn't properly sealed or insulated in the first place, won't you still run into problems?
Also, on the turbine vents—I've heard the horror stories about squeaking too. Is there any reliable way to prevent that from happening long-term? Like some kind of regular maintenance or lubrication trick? I'd rather not deal with angry squirrels tap-dancing above my head every time there's a breeze...
You're right to question how much attic ventilation alone can do—it's definitely not a magic fix if your insulation or sealing isn't up to par. Good ventilation helps manage moisture and heat buildup, but it's just one piece of the puzzle. Have you checked your attic insulation lately? That can make a huge difference during heatwaves or storms.
As for turbine vents, regular lubrication with something like silicone spray every year or so usually keeps the squeaking at bay. I've seen some homeowners go years without issues just by doing that simple maintenance...worth a shot to avoid the squirrel dance routine, lol.
Definitely agree—insulation makes a huge difference. I'd also suggest checking your window and door seals. I found some sneaky drafts last winter that were letting in moisture and cold air... sealing those up helped a ton during storms and heatwaves.
Speaking of sneaky drafts, has anyone thought about attic ventilation? Might sound counterintuitive at first—like, why let air in when we're trying to seal stuff up—but I've heard proper attic venting can actually reduce moisture buildup and ice dams. My uncle swears by it, says it saved him from some pricey roof repairs after heavy storms. Anyone tried tweaking their attic vents or fans for extreme weather? Curious if it's worth the effort or just another homeowner myth...
I've messed around with attic vents a bit—nothing fancy, just made sure they weren't blocked and added some mesh to keep critters out. Honestly, it did seem to help with moisture, but I haven't noticed much difference in winter ice buildup. Maybe insulation plays a bigger role there...?
