- Good call on the soffits—people really do forget about them until there’s a problem.
- I’ve seen attic temps spike 15-20 degrees when vents get blocked, which can mess with insulation and even shingle life.
- I usually add soffit checks to our seasonal walkarounds, especially after spring storms.
- If you’re in a spot with a lot of trees, watch for leaves and critters too. Squirrels love those gaps.
- Honestly, attic fans help, but nothing beats just keeping the airflow clear.
I’ve actually seen blocked soffits cause condensation issues in a couple of our older buildings—wasn’t even on my radar until we had water stains showing up in the attic insulation. Do you find it’s mostly leaves and debris, or do birds get in there too? We had one spot where starlings nested and it took forever to figure out why the airflow was off. I’m curious if anyone’s tried those mesh guards—do they really keep critters out without clogging up faster?
Mesh guards are on my “should I, shouldn’t I” list right now. I keep picturing myself up there with a broom, poking at them every fall because our maple tree is basically a leaf factory. I’ve heard mixed things—some folks say they’re great for keeping birds and squirrels out, but then you get the “now it’s just a leaf trap” crowd. I haven’t had any birds yet (knock on wood), but I did find a wasp nest in the soffit vent last summer. That was a fun surprise.
Do the mesh guards actually stay clear if you’ve got a lot of trees nearby? Or do they just make it harder to clean out when stuff does get stuck? I’m all for less attic wildlife, but I also don’t want to be up there every month with a shop vac.
I’m right there with you—our place is surrounded by oaks and maples, and I debated mesh guards for months. Ended up installing them last fall. They do keep out the squirrels and birds, but honestly, leaves still pile up on top. Instead of cleaning out the gutters, now I’m brushing off the guards every few weeks in peak season. It’s less messy, but not exactly maintenance-free. If you’ve got heavy leaf drop, you’ll probably still be up there a couple times a year. On the plus side, I haven’t had any critters or nests since putting them in, so that’s something.
Funny thing, I actually went the other way and skipped the mesh guards after seeing my neighbor constantly up there brushing his off. I just stick with a regular gutter scoop and do a big clean twice a year—spring and late fall. It’s messy, but at least I know the water’s flowing. The critters are a pain, though... had a bird’s nest clog up the downspout last year and that was a whole ordeal. Sometimes I wonder if there’s really a “set it and forget it” option for gutters, or if it’s just wishful thinking.
