Too Much Attic Ventilation

Is this too much ventilation.

Too much attic ventilation.

While effective at pulling in cooler air the biggest problem posed by this type of soffit vents is their positioning. If a roofing contractor is going to be out of balance with the attic ventilation system it s better to have too much intake than too much exhaust because the excess intake converts to exhaust on the leeward side of the house. Homeowners can too easily inadvertently block them when insulating the attic. As a certified licensed home inspector it is not correct to say too much ventilation is bad for an attic unless rain moisture is getting in.

Roof ventilation keeps the air moving and stops mold from growing but too much ventilation can be just as bad as having none. With a power switch or a thermostat installation an attic fan can be turned on to let hot air from the attic out. Also should the vents to the crawl space be open in summer and closed in winter. Most building codes require a ratio of 1 150 ventilation space to attic floor space.

Ventilation of attic spaces is required by most building codes as well as by roofing material manufacturers and the national roofing contractors association nrca. If there s blown in insulation like ours rake back the fluffy stuff with a 3 or 4 ft long 1 x 6 or use a garden rake or hoe. Dangers of too much ventilation. What happens is people put too many products on their roof.

Enter square footage calculate or enter the square footage of the attic or area to be vented. Do not use mechanical means electric attic fans. The two main dangers associated with too much ventilation involve roof damage and increased utility bills. I have received several questions and comments since writing about attic ventilation.

And when you put too many products on your roof that s improper ventilation. You can also contact your local municipality to check on building code in your area. All it takes to grow mold in your attic is stagnant humid air. A wind turbine catches the wind and spins a fan which pulls hot air outside.

If the attic is insulated with fiberglass batts just pull back any that are blocking the flow of air.