SNOW blowing in my airhawks

I had posted before that I thought I had a leak around an airhawk, turns out that under the right conditions I'm actually getting snow blowing "upslope" on my roof and coming in. The snow here is real dry, so it's like talcum powder, and when the wind is right it'll blow in, LOTS OF IT.

I've asked around and a neighbor suggested blocking them from the inside with cardboard or insulation board, which I don't want to do. A roofer suggested using the "steel wool looking" plastic stuff that scrubbing pads, and some filter media are made of. This sounded like a much better plan but thought I'd ask on here if anyone else had encountered this and what they had done.

I guess with this stuff I could check them from time to time and make sure there wasn't too much collecting.

Thanks

Frank

 

What is a Airhawk??? I have not had any snow or rain blow in to any button roof vents that we have used. Some codes dont alow turbine Vent for the attic anymore . Cause they let water in in strong winds.
Like said can you add more screen to them

 

Sorry Ed; No it's not a turbine vent. I've just always called them air hawks. It's kind of like a "hood scoop" on a car with a turbo. It allows air to come in from the "downslope" side, and theoretically snow shouldn't be able to get in.

But like I said the air here, northern Colorado, is real dry. When you have to shovel it, it just blows up like talcum powder and when the wind is blowing the wrong way it can blow up the roof and get inside the vent.

Thanks

Frank

 

Aside from blocking them up in the winter, which isn't a real friendly option, I don't know what else you could try. The brillo-stuff would be an option if you could find it in big pieces.

One thing I wondered about is the airflow... if you have gable vents that would be bad, because a downdraft could be created that would suck air into the roof exhaust louvers (can vents, button vents). Instead of being an exhaust, like they are SUPPOSED to be, the can vents could be acting like an intake, bringing snow in along with the airflow. I would think that this would only happen if there is something wrong with the ratio of soffit vents to can vents... or if gable vents were also being used. Most everything I have seen recommends you use only one type of exhaust ventilation... not several, or it can create downdrafts.

Just a possibility to consider.

Depending on what your can vents look like, you might consider changing to this style... which offers more protection from wind, rain and insects... and possibly snow!



image credit: Lomanco

 

Wow, thanks

I didn't think of that. No there are no gable vents, but it doesn't look like there's enough (hardly any) soffit vents. That was on my list of things to do before the weather turned warm this spring, but I may have to do it sooner if we get a warm day.

I knew about blocking the gable vents if they were pre-existing, but since I've lived in TX for the past 30 years I never considered that the "ridge" vents could be drawing in, instead of venting out, if there's not enough (or the wrong type) of inlet.

Thanks and I'll get on that.

frank