Sometimes it's not just ventilation but also how well the roof deck is sealed that makes a difference.
Totally agree here—ventilation’s only half the story. I used to obsess over attic fans and vent baffles, but after a gnarly ice dam a couple winters back (thanks, Midwest weather), I realized my decking had gaps near the eaves. What helped was sealing those up with a peel-and-stick membrane before re-insulating. If you’re into eco stuff like me, recycled denim insulation is surprisingly effective and keeps the attic dry-ish even in heavy rain. Just don’t skimp on air sealing or you’ll end up with soggy jeans overhead...
Never tried the denim stuff but now I’m picturing my attic in blue jeans, ha. I’ve mostly stuck with blown-in cellulose up there, but I do wonder if that’s worse for moisture, especially since our summers get super humid. When you did the peel-and-stick membrane, did you have to pull all the old insulation first or just patch over? I always get tripped up on whether it’s worth the hassle to start from scratch or just layer on top...
I’d be careful just layering new stuff on top, especially with cellulose. If there’s any trapped moisture or air leaks, you might end up with mold or sagging over time. When we did the peel-and-stick, we pulled everything down to the joists—yeah, it’s a pain, but at least you know what you’re working with. Sometimes patching over just hides problems instead of fixing them.
Sometimes patching over just hides problems instead of fixing them.
You’re preaching to the choir here. I’ve seen more “quick fixes” turn into long-term headaches than I care to admit. Folks think they’re saving time or money, but then you get that one humid summer and suddenly you’re hosting a mold convention in your attic. Not exactly the kind of guests you want.
That said, I get why people are tempted to just slap another layer on—especially when you’re staring down a weekend with a rental dumpster and a mountain of insulation. But honestly, every time I’ve tried to shortcut it, it’s come back to bite me. Last year, we had a unit where someone did the ol’ “just add more cellulose” trick. Looked fine for about six months... until the ceiling started sagging like a hammock and we found out there was enough moisture up there to grow mushrooms.
Pulling everything down to the joists is a pain—no argument there—but at least you know what’s going on under the hood. Plus, you get that weird satisfaction of seeing all the old stuff gone (and sometimes some truly bizarre things previous owners left behind... I once found an entire collection of 1980s soda cans up there).
If you’re dealing with an older roof or questionable insulation, it’s worth doing it right—even if your back hates you for a week after. And if you’re in a damp climate like mine (hello, endless rain), being extra cautious is just part of the deal.
Anyway, totally agree with your approach. Sometimes “out of sight, out of mind” just means “out of sight until it leaks through your ceiling.”
I get where you’re coming from, but sometimes a “quick fix” really is all you need—at least for a season or two.
Maybe I’ve just been lucky, but I patched a small leak with some flashing and sealant last fall and it held up fine through a pretty wet winter. Not saying it’s a forever solution, but if you’re strapped for time or cash, it can buy you breathing room until you can tackle the bigger job. Just gotta keep an eye on it and not let it slide too long.“every time I’ve tried to shortcut it, it’s come back to bite me.”
