That attic funk is no joke—been there myself after a hailstorm forced me to redo insulation. You’re spot on about airflow getting overlooked. I’ve seen plenty of “new” builds where the vents are basically decorative. Popping in those soffit vents and baffles is a pain, but it really does make a difference. If you ever notice the smell creeping back, double-check for blocked vents or critters nesting up there... learned that one the hard way too. At least you caught it before mold took over—attic mushrooms are never a good sign.
Yeah, attic airflow gets ignored way more than it should. I’ve seen folks spend a fortune on new shingles after a storm, only to end up with warped decking or ice dams because the air’s not moving right up there. Had a job last spring—customer swore their roof was “brand new,” but the attic smelled like wet socks. Turns out, the builder had stapled insulation right over the soffit vents. Zero airflow, just a sauna for mold.
I’ll admit, crawling around to check every vent and baffle is a pain, especially if you’re dealing with blown-in insulation. But it’s wild how much difference it makes once you get it sorted. And yeah, critters... I pulled a whole squirrel nest out of a gable vent once. Not fun.
Honestly, I’d rather deal with a few hours of hassle than have to rip out moldy insulation or replace decking down the line. It’s one of those things where an ounce of prevention really does save a ton of headaches.