That's a good point about attic ventilation—it's one of those things that inspectors often gloss over unless you specifically bring it up. Had a similar experience myself a couple years back. My roof inspection came back clean, but I was still getting weird moisture spots on the attic insulation. Turned out the soffit vents were partially blocked by insulation that had shifted around over time. Pretty easy fix once we pinpointed it, but I wouldn't have known if I hadn't gone digging around myself.
Makes me wonder how many inspectors really climb into the attic and thoroughly check airflow during routine inspections. Maybe it's worth asking upfront exactly what's covered in their standard checkup? Or do most folks just trust the pros to catch everything?
Had a similar issue with my attic vents being partially covered by insulation. I ended up installing those foam vent baffles myself—basically little channels that keep insulation from blocking airflow. It wasn't hard, just a bit messy moving insulation around. Definitely worth checking out if your attic seems stuffy or damp. Curious now if anyone's had luck with ridge vents instead? I've heard mixed reviews on them...
"Curious now if anyone's had luck with ridge vents instead? I've heard mixed reviews on them..."
I went with ridge vents last year—definitely noticed less humidity up there. Installation cost was a bit higher upfront, but no regrets so far. Might depend on your roof shape and local climate though...
I went with ridge vents about two years ago, and I'd say they're worth it overall. Like you mentioned, the upfront cost was a bit steeper than traditional vents, but my attic definitely feels cooler in summer. One thing I noticed though—ridge vents seem to work best when paired with proper soffit ventilation. My neighbor installed ridge vents without checking his soffits first, and he didn't see much improvement until he added those later on.
"Might depend on your roof shape and local climate though..."
Yeah, totally agree with this. My roof has a pretty straightforward gable design, so airflow is decent. But I've read that more complicated rooflines or valleys can sometimes limit how effective ridge vents are. Also, if you're in an area prone to heavy snow or ice dams, you might want to double-check if ridge vents are the best option...I've heard mixed experiences from folks dealing with harsh winters.
I've noticed the same thing about ridge vents and complicated rooflines. A property I manage has a pretty intricate design with multiple valleys, and honestly, the ridge vents alone didn't make a huge difference. We ended up adding some extra box vents in strategic spots, and that combo worked way better for airflow. Definitely think climate matters too—heavy snow areas might need some extra planning or different venting altogether...
