I’ve run into this a lot on inspections—people get so focused on making their homes “airtight” that they end up with more issues than they bargained for. I get the urge to seal everything up, especially with the cost of heating and cooling these days, but man, I’ve seen some gnarly mold in new houses where the builder skipped proper venting because “tight is better.” It’s wild how fast moisture can build up, especially in places like crawlspaces or attics.
I’m with you on the mesh and gaps. Sometimes the simplest solution just works. Those automatic vents are cool in theory, but I’ve seen a few stuck closed in the middle of summer—guess who had to crawl under there and pry them open? Not my favorite day. And honestly, when you rely on tech for something as basic as airflow, you’re just adding another thing that can break down the road.
Out of curiosity, has anyone dealt with those “whole house” ventilation systems they’re putting in some of the newer developments? I’ve heard mixed things—some folks love ‘em, others say they’re noisy or don’t actually move much air. Makes me wonder if we’re just overcomplicating what used to be a pretty straightforward problem.
Also, I’ve noticed that in some of the older homes around here (I’m in the Pacific Northwest), there’s way less trouble with musty smells or condensation because they just breathe better, even if they’re a little drafty. Sure, you might get a spider or two, but that beats tearing out drywall because of hidden mold.
Is it just me, or does it seem like builders are sometimes forgetting that you need to let a house “breathe,” especially in damp climates? Or maybe it’s just all about energy codes now...
Is it just me, or does it seem like builders are sometimes forgetting that you need to let a house “breathe,” especially in damp climates? Or maybe it’s just all about energy codes now...
Couldn’t agree more about the “airtight” obsession. I manage a few newer places and honestly, it’s like living inside a Ziploc bag sometimes. The tenants complain about stuffy air, and then I get the joy of explaining why the bathroom fan has to run even when they’re not showering. Energy codes are great and all, but they seem to forget that people actually have to live in these places.
Had one unit with a fancy “whole house” system—supposed to be the answer to everything. In reality, it sounded like a jet engine and barely moved any air. The tenants just unplugged it and cracked a window instead. Go figure.
Older houses might be drafty, but at least you don’t get that swampy, trapped moisture smell. I’ll take a few spiders over a surprise mold colony any day. Sometimes low-tech is just... better.
I get what you’re saying about the “airtight” trend. Makes me wonder—are some of these new mechanical systems just overcomplicating things? I mean, is it better to have a slightly drafty house that naturally cycles air, or a sealed-up place that relies on fans and filters? I’ve seen attic vents get blocked off in the name of efficiency, but then you get condensation issues up top. Is anyone actually tracking how these systems perform after a few years, or are we just hoping for the best?
I’ve noticed the same thing with blocked attic vents—seems like folks are so focused on energy savings, they forget that roofs need to breathe too. I’ve been on jobs where the insulation guys sealed everything up tight, and a year later you see mold or frost in the attic. Mechanical systems are great when they work, but if nobody maintains them, you’re just trading one problem for another. I kinda miss the days when a little draft wasn’t the end of the world...
Isn’t it wild how we swing from one extreme to the other? I get wanting to save energy, but when you see a brand new roof with ice dams or black mold, you gotta wonder if we’re missing the forest for the trees. Has anyone tried those smart vent systems that claim to balance airflow automatically? I’m curious if they actually work long-term, or if it’s just another thing to break. Sometimes I think a little old-school passive venting mixed with modern insulation might be the sweet spot... or am I just being nostalgic?
