Closing Attic Vents??
#1
10-10-00, 08:41 AM
I just moved into my first house in August. It's getting cold here in New York State, and am getting ready to weatherize. I remember during the pre-buy home inspection the engineer said something about closing the attic vents before winter.
Should I do this and what do I have to do? I realize all homes need proper ventilation, and would hate to shut something that should have stayed open.
Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.
Should I do this and what do I have to do? I realize all homes need proper ventilation, and would hate to shut something that should have stayed open.
Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.
#2
10-10-00, 03:00 PM
Hi:BGH
In my opinion you got the wrong information from that inspector for the very reason you stated...ventilation.
Closing those vents will allow moisture to accumulate. This will cause more damage then you can imagine.
Insulate the ceilings <floor of the attic> if needed but do not close nor cover those air vents.
If they were not needed year round, the builder would not have installed them and building codes would not require them.
Others in this forum whom live in your climate zone may be able to offer you more help, so visit back.
Good Luck,
TomBartco
In my opinion you got the wrong information from that inspector for the very reason you stated...ventilation.
Closing those vents will allow moisture to accumulate. This will cause more damage then you can imagine.
Insulate the ceilings <floor of the attic> if needed but do not close nor cover those air vents.
If they were not needed year round, the builder would not have installed them and building codes would not require them.
Others in this forum whom live in your climate zone may be able to offer you more help, so visit back.
Good Luck,
TomBartco
#3
10-12-00, 08:30 PM
BGH, I have to agree with Tom almost totally. You DO NOT want to eliminate the attic ventilation, just for the reasons he stated. However, look carefully at ALL of the attic's vent sources. My CA home has soffit vents and gable vents (Originally installed when the house was built). I have since added a couple of turbines. I leave those functional about 6 or 7 months of the year. But as soon as the weather turns wet and windy (Usually in Nov.), the turbines get covered. Don't need them sucking rain water into the attic!! But the soffit and gable vents remain funtional year 'round.
#4
10-22-00, 12:08 PM
BGH. The fiorst line of defense against ice dams begins in the basement. so if you want to shut soemthing shut or block up all the openings in the basement ceiling. This will reduce--but not stop-the amount of warm moist air being dumped inot the attic space.The reduction of this movement also reduces the need for attric ventilation. While I don't disagree with the advice given, we must not forget that attic vetilating devices are asked to handle moisture levels they were not designed to handle.
While you are at it remove the face plate on any bathroom ceiling mounted exhaust fans and caulk between the sheetrock and the fna's plastic or metal housing. This is a large source of moist warm air leaking into the attic space.Gene Leger
While you are at it remove the face plate on any bathroom ceiling mounted exhaust fans and caulk between the sheetrock and the fna's plastic or metal housing. This is a large source of moist warm air leaking into the attic space.Gene Leger
