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Here we discuss attic ventilation defects at the ridge or high point of the roof, as visible from the attic or building interior. This forms part of "How to Correct Improper or Inadequate Attic or Under-Roof Ventilation in Buildings", part of our discussion of "Attic Condensation". This article describes inspection methods and clues to detect roof venting deficiencies, insulation defects, and attic condensation problems in buildings. It describes proper roof ventilation placement, amounts, and other details.

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Inspecting the Ridge Vent System from the Attic

Fake ridge vents: As depicted by the pair of photographs above, sometimes we find that a builder has installed a ridge vent from outside but s/he failed to cut away the roof plywood to provide the exit air path to properly vent the attic. In this case this lazy man's faux ridge vent installed outside should be removed along with any ridge cap shingles below it.

The ridge vent slot should be cut to remove roof sheathing as we described just above (or best, following instructions of the ridge vent manufacturer).

Do not cut into the rafters themselves. Then install the ridge vent again and you'll have a working roof exit vent system.

Roofing Felt Obstructed ridge vents: It’s less common for us to find that a builder cut away plywood for the ridge vent, but that s/he installed building paper or more likely roofing felt over the opening before installing the ridge vent. In this case just cut away the building paper to expose the underside of the plastic ridge vent mesh, plastic Cor-A-Vent material (looks like a plastic version of the edge of a cardboard box)  or the opening into the aluminum ridge vent (depending on which type of ridge vent was installed). Check that the ridge vent material itself is not blocked by building paper (which you can simply cut away).

Shingle-obstructed ridge vent warning: If when inspecting from the attic and looking up into the slot of removed-plywood at the ridge of the roof you see the under side of a roof shingle, either the roofer made the ridge vent a bit longer than needed, or something else is going on that we’d need to check from outside. In any case, do not cut away roofing shingles over the ridge vent as you might invite a roof leak.

If your attic or under-roof cavity has a problem with moisture or mold, installing continuous, un-blocked, aggressive exit venting at the ridge is an important step.

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• Daniel Friedman - principal author/editor of the InspectAPedia^® Website
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• Alan Carson Carson Dunlop Associates, Toronto, Ontario. Mr. Carson is a home inspection professional, educator, researcher, writer, and a principal of Carson Dunlop Associates, a Toronto home inspection and education firm. Mr. Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors Some great illustrations of the proper under-roof ventilation pathways are offered by Carson Dunlop.
• Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. (727) 595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com 11/06 & 12/08
• John Annunziata, P.E. - NY Metro ASHI during informal chapter discussions about roof and attic ventilation options (1986-1996).
• Technical reviewers are invited to comment or ask questions - contact us

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

INTERIORS of BUILDINGS
AIR BYPASS LEAKS
AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS
AIR LEAK MINIMIZATION
AIR SEALING STRATEGIES
BATHROOM VENTILATION
FREEZE-PROOF A BUILDING
ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE
Air Bypass Leaks, Thermal Tracking
Blocked Soffit Intake Vents
CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION
Comparing Two Houses
Heat Tapes: Use on Roofs for Ice
HEAT LOSS: How to Calculate Heat Loss in a Building
HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET
ICE DAM PREVENTION
INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT
Inspect Attics for Moisture or Mold
Inspect Basements for Moisture or Mold
Inspect Building Exterior
Inspect the Ridge Vent System from the Attic
Inspect the Soffit Vent System from the Attic
ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS
Roof Venting: Intake - Outlet Area Ratios
Roof Venting: Proper Locations
Roof Venting: Both Ridge & Eaves Venting Needed
Roof Venting: Eaves Intake if no Overhang
Roof Venting: Soffit Intake Vent-Continuous
Roof Venting: Un-Vented Roof Solutions
ROOF VENTING ENERGY SAVING DETAILS
HEAT LOSS: How to Calculate Heat Loss in a Building
HOUSEWRAP AIR & VAPOR BARRIERS
HUMIDITY LEVEL TARGET
ICE DAM PREVENTION
INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT
THERMAL TRACKING & HEAT LOSS

• Thanks to reader F. Terrell for careful technical editing 09/17/2009

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Be sure to review HOW TO FIND MOLD: How to Inspect Homes and Other Buildings for Mold - the Basics of How to Find Problem Mold Indoors in our Mold Action Guide. Here are other articles that will be helpful in evaluating attic mold presence, causes, and cures:

• What Mold and Allergens Look Like: mold identification photos to help identify mold - choosing what to sample in buildings
• How to Clean Moldy Wood Framing & Sheathing How to clean/seal mold from/on exposed lumber or plywood subfloor or roof sheathing indoors - some suggestions based on our field and laboratory research
• Lighting, proper use of: proper aiming of a good flashlight can disclose hard to see but toxic light or white mold colonies on walls.
• Mold spores in the Home - a Photo ID Library for detection and identification of mold allergens.
• How to Find and Test For Mold in Buildings A "how to" photo and text primer on finding and choosing the right spots to test for mold in buildings
• Stuff that is not mold but is often mistaken for it - things you may not want to test. Also, not all "black mold" is toxic - here are examples of harmless black mold.
• Simple Adhesive Tape Sampling of Moldy Surfaces - how to send a mold sample to our lab
• Mold Sampling Methods in the Indoor Environment - In-depth article: detailed critique of popular mold testing methods - Is your mold test kit worth the bother?
• Humidity: What indoor humidity should we maintain in order to avoid a mold problem?
• Mold-Resistant Building Practices, advice from an expert on how to prevent mold after a building flood and how to prevent mold growth in buildings by selection of building materials and by anti-mold construction details.

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The Mold Information Center: What to Do About Mold in Buildings, When and How to Inspect for Mold, Clean Up Mold, or Avoid Mold Problems

Use this simple, economical mold test kit by following our instructions on how to collect and mail mold samples to our lab

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