Yeah, I've noticed the same thing about smaller vents. They can help a bit, especially if placed strategically, but they're definitely not a cure-all. One thing I've found helpful is considering the balance between intake and exhaust vents. Even if you've got plenty of small vents up top, if there's not enough airflow coming in from below, it's barely gonna move the moisture out.
Also, I've seen cases where people add several small vents thinking "more is better," but end up disrupting the natural airflow pattern. Sometimes fewer, well-placed vents actually perform better because they maintain a smoother airflow across the attic space. A simple smoke test can give you a rough idea whether your placement is working or not—just be careful up there, obviously.
So yeah, small vents aren't useless, but they're just one piece of the puzzle. Proper placement and balancing intake/exhaust usually makes a bigger difference than adding a bunch of extra vents here and there.
Totally agree about the intake/exhaust balance. When I first moved into my place, I had a similar issue—lots of vents up top but barely any airflow. Turned out the builder had skimped on soffit vents, so there wasn't enough fresh air coming in from below. Once I added a few more soffit vents, the difference was noticeable almost immediately.
Another thing I've noticed is insulation placement. If insulation blocks your lower vents, it doesn't matter how many you have—airflow's gonna be terrible. I spent a weekend crawling around my attic pulling insulation back from the soffits and installing baffles to keep the airflow clear. Wasn't exactly fun, but it made a huge difference in moisture control and overall attic temps.
I guess my point is, it's not just about how many vents you have or even their size—it's about making sure the whole system works together. Sometimes the simplest fixes, like clearing insulation or adding a couple well-placed intake vents, can do way more than throwing money at extra roof vents.
Had a similar experience on an inspection last month—brand new house, tons of ridge vents, but the attic was still super stuffy. Turned out insulation installers had jammed batts right up against the soffits. Pulled it back and popped in a few baffles, airflow improved almost instantly. Builders often overlook these small details...makes a big difference though. Good ventilation is more about proper setup than just adding more vents.
Ran into something similar when we moved into our new place. Attic felt like a sauna even though the builder had installed plenty of vents. After poking around, I realized the soffit vents were painted over during exterior finishing—no airflow at all. Had to carefully scrape off the paint and clear the openings. Once that was done, the difference was night and day. Definitely agree it's not just about quantity of vents, but making sure they're actually functional.
Good catch on the painted-over soffit vents—that's exactly the sort of detail builders often overlook. I've seen similar issues after storm repairs where vents get clogged or blocked without anyone noticing. It's great you took the initiative to check it yourself. Sometimes it's these little fixes that make a huge difference in comfort and efficiency. Glad you got it sorted...bet your attic feels way better now.