Attic Air Flow Soffit

Proper air circulation in the attic is all about preventing moisture buildup.

Attic air flow soffit.

If your attic is well insulated the insulation might be plugging the spaces between rafters just above exterior walls. That means air can t flow from the soffit vents to the roof vents. Proper air circulation through the attic space helps lower cooling bills and prolongs the life of roofing materials. The solution is to add baffles which allow air to flow past the insulation photo 9.

With vented soffit air can flow through the vents to provide regular air circulation to your attic. An attic s intake vents are most commonly installed directly in the soffit either as individual vents spaced every few feet or as one continuous perforated soffit running the entire length of. Air flow is tremendously important for your entire home. If the attic is insulated with fiberglass batts just pull back any that are blocking the flow of air.

If those steps don t solve the problem add more soffit vents following the techniques we show in photos 4 17. Soffit vents allow outside air to enter the attic while vents along the peak. Box out light fixtures. Fans and vents may be installed on the roof system that will draw the air out of the.

It creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew and ruins the air trapping pockets that block heat flow. In addition insulation baffles must be installed at the point where the attic floor meets the roofline to prevent the attic insulation from migrating into the cavities and restricting the airflow from the soffit vents. Look for water stains on the roof sheathing or damp or moldy spots on attic joists and existing insulation as a clue to where leaks might be. 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.

However if your attic has blocked soffit vents and is not well sealed from the rest of the house attic fans will suck cool conditioned air up out of the house and into the attic. Baffles are available at home centers. Begin by making sure your existing system works photos 1 and 3 plugging major air leaks into the attic photo 2 and correcting any other of the common causes of poor attic venting. If you have lanced style vents like the vented soffit we offer our customers you can achieve proper air flow while limiting the moisture that can enter through the vents.

Attic fans are intended to cool hot attics by drawing in cooler outside air from attic vents soffit and gable and pushing hot air to the outside. Water is insulation s enemy.