That’s spot on about bathroom fans—saw a neighbor’s attic turn into a rainforest after a few years of that. I’d add, even with good baffles, if you’ve got old cellulose insulation drifting over the soffits, it’s easy to miss blocked intakes. I’ve started using those foam chutes and checking every spring... makes a difference. Squirrels are relentless here too, by the way.
Foam chutes are a good call, but I’m still not convinced they’re a long-term fix if you’ve got old insulation like I do. I swear, every time I poke my head up there, the cellulose has drifted back over half the soffit vents, no matter how careful I was last year. Is there really any way to keep them clear without pulling up all the insulation every spring? I’ve heard some folks say rigid baffles plus some mesh helps, but I’m skeptical it’s worth the hassle or the cost.
And about those bathroom fans—totally agree. I had one venting into the attic when we moved in, and you could see the frost on the nails by February. Fixed that quick, but I still wonder if that moisture lingers in the insulation over time.
Squirrels, don’t even get me started. Lost a whole roll of insulation to one determined critter last fall. Anyone actually had luck keeping them out without spending a fortune? I’m not paying for metal soffits unless it’s the only way.
I hear you on the cellulose drifting back over the soffit vents—happens in my place too, and it’s a pain. I’ve tried both the cheap foam chutes and the pricier rigid baffles with mesh, and honestly, the rigid ones are a lot more reliable if you’re dealing with loose-fill insulation. The mesh is a bit of a hassle to install, but it really does keep the insulation from blocking airflow. It’s not a magic bullet, but I only had to do it once and haven’t had to mess with it since. If you’re handy and don’t mind crawling around up there for a weekend, it’s probably worth the upfront effort. Cost-wise, it’s not nothing, but it’s way less than dealing with mold or roof deck rot down the line.
About the bathroom fan moisture—if you fixed the venting, you’re already ahead of most folks. The old insulation might still hold some moisture, especially if it got soaked for a while. If you notice any musty smell or see clumping in the cellulose, that’s a sign it’s still damp. Sometimes just spreading it out and letting it dry can help, but if it’s really saturated or moldy, replacement might be the only way.
Squirrels are another beast entirely. I went through two years of patching holes with hardware cloth and spray foam before biting the bullet and putting up metal flashing in the worst spots. Not full metal soffits, just strategic patches where they were getting in. It wasn’t cheap, but it was way less than replacing insulation every year. Traps didn’t do much for me, and repellents were a joke.
If you’re trying to avoid pulling up insulation every spring, rigid baffles plus mesh is probably your best bet short of redoing the whole attic. It’s not glamorous work, but it beats dealing with ice dams or critters making nests up there.
It’s not glamorous work, but it beats dealing with ice dams or critters making nests up there.
You nailed it—nothing glamorous about crawling around in cellulose, but you’re saving yourself a ton of headaches down the road. I’ve seen folks ignore vent issues and end up with way bigger problems. Sounds like you’re on the right track, even if it’s a slog. Those rigid baffles with mesh really do make a difference long-term.
Those rigid baffles with mesh really do make a difference long-term.
Couldn’t agree more. I’ve seen way too many attics where folks skipped the baffles or just used flimsy ones, and it always comes back to bite them—either with mold or insulation blocking airflow. It’s tedious work, but you’re setting yourself up for fewer headaches later. Honestly, I’d rather deal with cellulose dust now than rip out rotten decking in five years.
