- Gotta admit, I’m not totally sold on the “old houses breathe better” idea.
- I’ve seen a few places where blocked soffit vents didn’t cause issues… until they did. One buddy had no problems for a decade, then suddenly got mold after a wet spring.
- Maybe mild climates are more forgiving, but isn’t it kind of a gamble? Like, you might be fine for years, then one weird weather year wrecks everything.
- Also, with new builds being way tighter for energy codes, I wonder if we can really compare them to drafty old homes.
- I get the temptation to just pack insulation in, but I keep hearing from inspectors that proper airflow saves headaches down the line.
- Not saying everyone needs to panic about perfect venting, but I’d rather not roll the dice if I’m already opening up the attic.
- Anyone else seen a “fine” setup suddenly go sideways after years? Just seems risky to bank on luck, even if it works out for some.
Had a place a few years back that was “fine” for ages, then one freak winter and suddenly the attic looked like a rainforest. It’s wild how quick things can turn. I’m with you—if the attic’s open, I’d rather just get the airflow sorted now than gamble.
Yeah, it’s crazy how fast things can go sideways. I’ve seen attics look bone dry for years, then one weird winter and suddenly you’re dealing with mold and soggy insulation. Honestly, I don’t get why some builders still skimp on proper vents or just throw in a couple of those cheap mushroom caps and call it a day. If you’ve got the attic open, might as well do it right—ridge vent, soffit vents, whatever fits the roof. Saves a ton of hassle down the line.
Yeah, I’ve seen those mushroom vents slapped on like a bandaid too many times. Doesn’t matter how fancy the shingles are if the air can’t move up there. Last winter, we tore open an attic that looked fine from the outside—inside, it was like a rainforest. Mold everywhere, insulation soggy as a wet dog. Ridge and soffit vents just work better together, but I guess some folks still want to cut corners. Maybe they figure out the hard way...
Doesn’t matter how fancy the shingles are if the air can’t move up there.
Totally agree with this. We tried to save a bit by using those mushroom vents when we did our roof, but it didn’t really work out. Ended up with some musty smells, and the insulation was always damp. If I could do it over, I’d follow a checklist: make sure both ridge and soffit vents are in, check for blockages, and don’t skimp on the basics. Sometimes spending a little more upfront saves a lot down the road.
