My very large duplex has a 2 week old roof. Ridge vents were to be used though I can't see them from the inside or outside and even though it's been cool the attic is hot. I just read about soffit vents--guess I need them, too, right? Also, rain is still making it's way to a 2nd story ceiling/wall and I can see daylight from the attic just above that spot. Would that be a damaged soffit and should the roofer have repaired it? It's quite disappointing after spending $11,000+

 

If you can't see the ridge vents, they aren't there! However, to work correctly (convection) there must be air drawn in at the soffit. My attic is usually within 10 degrees of the outside temperature, even on 100 degree days. From your description I can't tell about the leak, better get the contractor back out, and have your contract in hand when he gets there. Have you paid him all his money yet!

Frank

 

Thank you SLFrank. The roofer is a good person and, without question, would make "it" right, but I wanted a little backup knowledge before I call him, nevertheless. It looks like I'm going to have to dig even deeper for soffit vents. I'm convinced they're necessary. This attic is definately more than 10* warmer than the living area and more like 20--must get a thermometer for up there. Good idea. Thanks for all.......Flrpwr

 

I too have same problem, my house was built with no soffits and thereefore no intakes
I am getting a new roof done and in order for the warranty to be good, I need to get my ventilation up to speed.
I thought it was going to be costly, but the new drip edge vent which gets installed behind the gutters after they cut a piece of wood off the end of my roof is only about 800.00 for the whole house (approx 45 ft each side) and adding ridge vent from certainteed costs about 400.00 for whole length of roof which sounded reasonable, but then they said it was going to cost me 2500.00 to replace the gutters after they romove mine to get the gutter vents installed - I flipped out, but thats another topic.
Ventilation a must (intake and exhaust)

 

same here - my "new home" is 50 years old - no vents and soffites are cuton only the back.

i will have a full lenght ridge put i and the soiffits one one side done - should be close but under $1000

 

On several houses where we had no soffit I put 2" - 2 1/2" "bird holes" in the fascia and then the little push in grilles. IIRC the square feet of the ridge vent and soffit vent should be about equal. I always block off the gable vents as they reduce the effectiveness of the ridge vent (supposedly).

Frank

 

If you did not have ridge vent already installed, a responsible roofer should have known about the need for soffit vents and explained how they work. Typically, roofers only roof and do not do repairs where wood has deteriorated in the soffit, unless you discussed possible soffit repairs or other work requiring carpentry skills.

Adequate insulation and ventilation in the attic are necessary to keep attic temperatures in the attic as close as possible to outdoor temperatures.

There is a very good article about attic ventilation at http://www.factsfacts.com/MyHomeRepair/ventilation.htm

 

keep em coming!