- Ridge vents have definitely cut down on maintenance for me, but I still do a quick attic check every spring—caught a small leak around a vent pipe last year before it got worse.
- Squirrels are relentless... had to reinforce my vent screens twice after they chewed through the first set. Hardware cloth seems to hold up better than anything else I’ve tried.
- Noticed some uneven insulation near the eaves—turned out to be air leaks from recessed lights. Swapped them for IC-rated fixtures and sealed with caulk, which helped with drafts.
- Curious if anyone’s tried those attic tents or zippered covers for access hatches? Wondering if they’re worth the cost compared to just DIY foam board and weatherstripping.
I’ve been wondering about those attic tents too. The price tag seems a bit much for what’s basically a zippered bag, but I get the appeal if it actually seals better. I did the foam board and weatherstripping thing last month—took maybe an hour and cost under $30. It’s not pretty, but I noticed less draft in the hallway right away. Not sure if the tent would do much more unless you’re opening the hatch all the time.
Squirrels are relentless... had to reinforce my vent screens twice after they chewed through the first set. Hardware cloth seems to hold up better than anything else I’ve tried.
I’m dealing with this now. Thought I was safe with the standard mesh, but found a pile of insulation by the hatch and some chewed-up plastic. Guess I’ll be making a trip for hardware cloth this weekend. Did you just staple it over the existing vents or do a full replacement? I’m hoping I don’t have to rip out the old stuff.
On the insulation front, I spotted some weird cold spots near my eaves too. Didn’t think about recessed lights being the culprit, but now that you mention it, mine aren’t IC-rated either. Might have to swap those out before next winter.
Curious—has anyone had issues with ice dams after sealing up attic leaks? I keep hearing that too much sealing can actually make things worse if you don’t have enough ventilation. My roof’s only a few years old (asphalt shingles, moderate slope, Midwest), so I’m trying to avoid any big headaches.
