"Easy fix once I knew what I was dealing with: just had to clear away the insulation around the soffit vents, added some vent baffles to keep things flowing properly, and installed a ridge vent for good measure."
Definitely agree ventilation is key, but I'd caution against jumping straight to ridge vents as a universal fix. Had a similar moisture issue myself, and after researching and talking to a couple roofers, found out ridge vents aren't always the best solution depending on your roof's shape and local climate. My roof has a pretty low pitch, and apparently ridge vents aren't as effective in that scenario—ended up going with turbine vents instead, which did the trick nicely.
Also, while seasonal checks are smart, I'd argue that critter-proofing is just as important as airflow. Had bats move into my neighbor's attic through a tiny gap near his new ridge vent... talk about a nightmare. So yeah, ventilation matters, but sealing up entry points and choosing the right vent type for your specific roof can save you some headaches down the road.
Good points about ridge vents—definitely not a one-size-fits-all solution. Low-pitch roofs can be tricky, and I've seen plenty of cases where ridge vents just weren't pulling enough air to make a difference. Turbine vents are solid alternatives, especially if you've got decent wind exposure.
One thing I'd add is that balancing intake and exhaust is just as important as the type of vent you pick. I've come across homeowners who installed ridge or turbine vents but didn't have enough soffit intake to match, so airflow was still poor. It's like trying to breathe out without breathing in first—doesn't work too well.
And yeah, critters... bats and squirrels can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps. Mesh screens or hardware cloth around vent openings usually does the trick, but it's worth checking every now and then because animals can be persistent little buggers.
Had a similar issue with my low-pitch roof a couple years back. Tried ridge vents first—seemed like the logical choice—but airflow was pretty disappointing. Ended up switching to turbine vents, and it made a noticeable difference, especially on windy days. Definitely agree about balancing intake and exhaust, though. I initially overlooked soffit vents, thinking the turbines alone would do the trick. Nope... airflow was still sluggish until I added more intake.
As for critters, learned that lesson the hard way. Had squirrels nesting in my attic one winter. Hardware cloth solved it, but man, those little guys are determined. Had to reinforce it twice before they finally gave up.
Interesting experience, but I'd be cautious about turbine vents on low-pitch roofs. They can sometimes let water in during heavy storms, especially if wind-driven rain is common in your area. I've seen a few cases where homeowners had leaks after installing turbines. Personally, I'd lean toward powered attic fans or even solar-powered vents for better control and less risk of moisture intrusion. Hardware cloth is spot-on though—those squirrels are relentless...
Had a similar issue a couple years back—installed turbine vents thinking they'd help with ventilation, but every big storm turned my attic into a mini swimming pool. Wind-driven rain is no joke, especially if your roof pitch isn't steep enough to shed water quickly. Ended up switching to solar-powered vents and haven't had a leak since. And yeah, hardware cloth is a lifesaver... squirrels chewed through my neighbor's plastic vent covers in less than a week.
