Totally agree, metal roofs aren't some miracle cure for attic issues. I mean, I've got metal on mine, and while it's great for shedding rain (sounds like a drum solo during storms though, haha), it didn't magically fix my attic's moisture problems either.
A couple years back, I noticed some moldy patches starting to creep along the attic beams. Freaked me right out—thought for sure it was the roof leaking. Got up there after a storm and nope...dry as a bone. Turned out, just like you said, my soffit vents were clogged with insulation (whoever installed it before me clearly wasn't paying attention). Once I cleared those out and sealed around the bathroom fan venting into the attic (seriously, who does that?), things improved almost overnight.
Metal roofs definitely have their perks—mine's held up way better in heavy winds than the old shingles ever did—but yeah, ventilation and sealing are usually the real villains in moisture dramas. If anyone's thinking of switching to metal purely to fix attic mold or dampness...save your cash and check your vents first. Speaking from experience here!
Glad you figured it out before things got worse. I've seen so many people jump straight to replacing roofs when moisture issues pop up, only to find the real culprit was ventilation or insulation. Had a similar issue myself—thought my shingles were shot because of damp patches appearing randomly on the attic ceiling. Turned out, whoever installed my bathroom exhaust fan vented it straight into the attic insulation...yeah, brilliant move there. Once I rerouted that outside and added some ridge vents, problem solved.
You're right about metal roofs though—they're great for durability and weather resistance, but they're definitely not a cure-all for moisture control. Proper attic ventilation is key no matter what kind of roof you've got. Good on you for tackling the root cause rather than just throwing money at symptoms.
Had a similar head-scratcher myself a couple years back. Kept noticing moisture spots in the attic after heavy rains, and my first thought was "great, roof's toast." But when I climbed up there, shingles looked fine—no obvious leaks or damage. Turned out the soffit vents were completely blocked by insulation someone had jammed in there ages ago. Cleared those out, added some baffles to keep airflow open, and the moisture vanished within days.
Funny how often ventilation gets overlooked...everyone jumps straight to blaming shingles or flashing. Metal roofs are solid for durability, sure, but like you said, they're not magic. I've seen neighbors install metal thinking it'll fix all their attic moisture issues, only to realize later they still needed proper venting.
Curious if anyone here's experimented with solar-powered attic fans? I've heard mixed reviews—some swear by them, others say they're not worth the hassle. Wondering if they'd actually help with moisture control or just end up being another gimmick...
I've had decent luck with solar attic fans myself. Installed one about three years ago after noticing similar moisture issues. Here's the deal: they're not miracle-workers, but they do help if your attic ventilation is borderline and needs a bit more airflow.
A couple things to keep in mind if you're considering it:
1. Placement matters—pick a spot on your roof that gets solid sun exposure most of the day, otherwise it's just decoration.
2. Make sure your soffit vents are clear and open, because the fan won't do much good without proper intake air.
3. Don't undersize it—check the square footage rating and choose one that's strong enough for your attic size.
Mine noticeably reduced humidity and made the attic a lot cooler on hot days. Not saying it'll fix serious venting problems or major moisture build-up on its own...but as an add-on to good passive ventilation, it's been worth it for me.
Glad you mentioned placement—it's surprising how often people overlook that. Did you notice a big difference right away, or was it more gradual? I've been recommending solar attic fans for a while, and feedback's usually pretty positive, especially when they're paired with solid passive ventilation. You're right though, they're not magic fixes...more like giving your existing setup a helpful nudge. Curious if you've seen any noticeable savings on cooling bills since installing yours?
