Definitely makes sense to check that ventilation—it's one of those things you don't realize matters until it causes headaches. Did you notice a big difference in your heating bills after improving airflow, or mostly just the roof condition?
Ventilation is sneaky like that—one minute you're blissfully unaware, next you're googling "why does my attic smell weird?" at 2 AM. When I finally got around to fixing mine (after procrastinating way too long), I noticed the roof condition improved first, fewer ice dams and moisture issues. Heating bills dropped a bit later, nothing dramatic but definitely noticeable over a few months. Sounds like you're on the right track...good luck with it!
Good points here. Ventilation issues often fly under the radar until something noticeable pops up, like moisture or weird smells. Ice dams are a classic symptom of poor attic ventilation—warm air escaping from your living space melts snow on the roof, then it refreezes at the eaves. Improving ventilation helps keep attic temperatures consistent, reducing ice dams and moisture buildup.
One thing I'd add: don't overlook insulation. Proper insulation works hand-in-hand with ventilation to maintain stable attic temps and minimize heat loss. If you noticed a modest drop in heating bills after fixing ventilation, you might squeeze out even more efficiency by checking insulation depth and coverage—especially around recessed lights or attic hatches, common trouble spots.
Sounds like you've tackled the hardest part already...now it's just about fine-tuning things.
Good reminder about insulation—it's easy to overlook when you're focused on ventilation. I've seen plenty of attics with great airflow but thin or patchy insulation, and homeowners wonder why they're still getting ice dams or drafts. Also curious if anyone's checked their soffit vents lately...sometimes they're painted over or clogged with debris, which can quietly sabotage your ventilation improvements. Might be worth a quick look next time you're up there.
Good point about the soffit vents—I learned that lesson the hard way. A couple years back, I spent a weekend beefing up my attic insulation, thinking I'd solved my ice dam issues. Nope. Turns out the previous owner had painted right over the soffit vents, completely sealing them shut. Took me another afternoon of scraping and cleaning to get proper airflow again. Definitely worth checking those vents before winter hits...
