The attic is one of the most unused spaces in your home. It’s a place where you can hide your tools and equipment, and it’s also a great place to store clothes and other belongings. But sometimes, things get stored in the wrong places, which can lead to a problem. In this blog post, we’re going to explore five common installation mistakes when venting an attic according to the attic ventilation chicago installers.
Cutting The Ridge Vent Opening Too Long
One of the most common mistakes when installing vents is cutting the ridge vent opening too long or too short. If the opening is too long, air will not be able to flow through the vent properly, and if it is too short, the vent will not be effective at preventing moisture damage.
To ensure that you are cutting the opening correctly, measure from the peak of the roof to the edge of the eaves and cut your opening accordingly. You should also make sure that there are at least two inches of overhang on each side of the ridge vent.
If you are unsure how to cut a ridge vent opening, consult with a professional contractor before attempting to do it yourself.
Clogged Or Blocked Intake Vents
Another common mistake made during installation is clogging or blocking intake vents. By blocking the intake vents, you are essentially suffocating the attic of fresh air and dramatically increasing the chances of moisture damage.
Installing a screen over your intake vents can be an effective way to prevent debris from entering them. However, it is important not to install too fine mesh on your screens because it may become clogged with moss or mold.
To ensure that you are leaving your ventilation open, inspect all of your intake vents after you have finished installing them to make sure that they are clear. If anything blocks these vents during normal use, remove it immediately so that humidity does not build up in your attic.
Having Missing Or Inadequate Intake
A common mistake that many homeowners make during installation is not installing enough intake vents. Intake vents provide your home with fresh air and help prevent mold buildup in the attic. If there are not enough intake vents, it can cause increased humidity levels in the attic, which results in poor air quality and additional moisture damage to the structure of your home.
If you are having problems with excessive moisture, you may need to add more intake vents to your roof or even replace some of the existing ones. Keep in mind that metal buildings will require larger ventilation openings than traditional structures, so consult a professional contractor before starting any work on your roof.
Placing Intake Vents Too High Or Exhaust Vents Too Low
Many homeowners use their attic vents to provide fresh air into their homes. But when it comes time to install your attic insulation, you need to make sure that you don’t place your intake vents too high or exhaust vents too low.
If you place your intake vents too high, the cold air from outside won’t have enough time to move up into your attic. This can lead to a number of problems, including:
You may have reduced ventilation in your home – which can lead to various comfort issues, such as low humidity levels, dry air, and dry skin.
You can also lose efficiency from the insulation installation because you won’t be able to use all of the areas that you cut out for ventilation.
If you place your exhaust vents too low, the warm air from inside will have more time to move up into the attic – and this could cause problems with heat retention in your home.
Mixing Exhaust Products Within The Same Attic Space
Exhaust products are designed to manage moisture in different ways- so if you mix them within the same space, it can cause problems. If you have combination exhaust/ intake vents, don’t install any additional intake vents, or you will compromise the ability of your exhaust vents to do their job.
Be sure to consult with a professional contractor when purchasing new ventilation equipment for your attic because mistakes made during installation could lead to costly repairs later.
If you are ventilating your attic, make sure that you accurately cut the ridge vent opening and install a screen over your intake vents. Ensure there are enough ventilation openings for airflow to escape through the roof and make sure all exhaust vents are clear of debris. By avoiding these installation mistakes, you can prevent future moisture damage to your home.