I see this all the time—folks throw smart fans or fancy gadgets at the problem, but if the building envelope isn’t tight, you’re just moving air from one leak to another. I’ve tested plenty of new builds with a blower door and it’s wild how much air sneaks in around can lights, attic hatches, and especially those “sealed” bathroom vents. Honestly, half the time it’s a $5 tube of caulk or some proper gaskets that make the real difference, not another app-controlled fan. Tech’s great, but it can’t fix sloppy sealing.
I hear you on the blower door tests—seen plenty of “tight” homes that leaked like sieves after a storm rolled through. Sometimes I wonder, do builders just not test these spots, or is it more about cutting corners to save time? Curious if anyone’s found a reliable way to check those hidden leaks before the weather does it for you...
Curious if anyone’s found a reliable way to check those hidden leaks before the weather does it for you...
Here’s what I do: before drywall goes up, I run a hose over all the roof penetrations and valleys, then check inside for any drips or damp spots. It’s not foolproof, but it’s caught more than a few missed seals. Ever tried using a thermal camera after a rain? Sometimes you can spot cold spots where water’s sneaking in. Wondering if anyone else has had luck with that, or if there’s a better trick for those tricky soffit and ridge areas...
I’ve tried the hose trick too, but honestly, I always worry I’m missing something in those weird corners near the soffits. Last year, after a big storm, I noticed a faint water stain right where the ridge vent meets the sheathing—never caught it with water testing. I borrowed a buddy’s thermal camera and it actually picked up a cold patch there after rain. Not sure if it’s 100% reliable, but it did help me zero in on that spot. Anyone else ever get false alarms with those cameras? Sometimes I can’t tell if it’s just insulation gaps or actual leaks...
Had a similar situation last winter—thought the thermal camera was showing a leak, but it turned out to be a spot where the insulation was thin. Ended up wasting a weekend pulling up shingles for nothing. Sometimes those cameras just make me second-guess everything... I still trust my eyes and a good old flashlight more than gadgets most days.