I’ve run into that dryer vent issue more times than I’d like to admit—it’s wild how common it is. Folks think it’s just steam, but that moisture adds up fast under the roof. One place I managed, we kept chasing high humidity readings until we finally traced it to a disconnected vent hose tucked behind insulation. Cheap sensors might not be spot-on, but they’ll tell you when something’s shifting. I’d say if your numbers spike after a rain, don’t just chalk it up to weather—dig around for hidden leaks or airflow blockages. Sometimes it’s the little things making all the trouble.
Sometimes it’s the little things making all the trouble.
Ain’t that the truth. I once spent a week blaming a mystery leak on the last storm, only to find out it was just a squirrel-chewed vent cap letting in rainwater. Anyone else ever get tripped up by critters messing with your airflow?
Critters are sneakier than folks think. Had a raccoon pull apart a ridge vent once—looked like wind damage at first, but the claw marks gave it away. Here’s my usual process now: check every vent and cap for chew marks or loose fittings before blaming weather. It’s tedious, but saves time in the long run. I’m not convinced all those “critter-proof” screens work either, especially on older homes. Sometimes it’s just about regular walkarounds and catching the small stuff before it turns into a headache.
Can’t say I trust those screens either—seen squirrels chew right through the “heavy-duty” ones. I’m with you on the walkarounds. Honestly, most of the time it’s just catching a loose vent or a gap before something moves in. Way less hassle than dealing with an infestation later.
I hear you on the screens—mine looked sturdy but I found a chewed-up corner last fall. Guess squirrels don’t care about “heavy-duty” labels. My routine now is every couple months, I just grab a flashlight and check all the vents for gaps or loose mesh. It’s not glamorous, but it beats trapping critters later. Has anyone actually had luck with those metal vent guards, or do the animals just find another way in?
