If you’re cheap like me, a flashlight and a broom handle go a long way... just don’t step through the ceiling.
That “don’t step through the ceiling” warning hits home—I put my foot right through the drywall once, and patching it cost more than just hiring a pro for an inspection. Anyone else find ridge vents let in snow drift during blizzards? I’m in Minnesota and sometimes get weird little piles up there...
Anyone else find ridge vents let in snow drift during blizzards? I’m in Minnesota and sometimes get weird little piles up there...
Yeah, I’ve had the same thing happen with my ridge vent after a heavy snowstorm—little drifts right on top of the insulation. I ended up stapling some mesh over the vent from inside the attic, which helped a bit but didn’t totally solve it. What kind of insulation are you using up there? I’ve got blown-in cellulose and it gets messy when snow melts.
I’ve seen that with a couple of the buildings I look after, especially on the older ones with those basic ridge vents. Sometimes it’s just a dusting, but last year we had a real mess—snow actually soaked through the fiberglass batts and left water stains on the ceiling drywall. Anyone ever try those baffle inserts or vent filters? I’m not convinced they’re worth the hassle, but curious if they help more than just mesh.
Had the same problem after a blizzard a couple years back—snow blew right up under the ridge vent and melted into the attic insulation. I tried those foam baffles, but honestly, they were a pain to install in tight spots and didn’t stop the fine powder from sneaking in. The mesh helps a bit, but in my experience, nothing’s perfect when you get those sideways winds. At least you’re catching it early... I let it go and ended up patching drywall, which was no fun.
That’s a tough situation—sideways snow can really find its way in, no matter how careful you are with vents. I’ve seen folks try everything from extra mesh to custom baffles, but like you said, nothing’s totally foolproof when the wind’s howling. Did you notice any staining on the rafters or just the insulation getting wet? Sometimes it’s easy to miss until the drywall starts showing spots... Good on you for catching it early this time. It’s wild how much damage a little bit of melting snow can do over a winter.