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This is chapter 5, "Blocked Soffit Intake Venting as a Factor in Attic Condensation Problems", 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. Also see CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION.

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The page top photo suggests (by the absence of visible mold) that luckily we may not find a mold problem in every poorly-vented attic or under-roof space. But after we confirmed in our lab that the mold was Penicillium sp., in our opinion the attic at left needed to be cleaned. The risk of problem mold bothering building occupants was increased when the attic was in a knee-wall area adjoining a bedroom.

When removing problem mold from an attic we must also correct the moisture problem by both removing the moisture source and by correcting any attic venting defects. See Correcting Roof Ventilation for more details about correcting under-roof ventilation. See the Mold Information Center for guides to inspecting, testing, and removing mold in buildings.

Why is Blocked Soffit Intake Venting a Factor in Attic Condensation Problems?

Even if continuous soffit venting was installed (seen from outside) it may be blocked in the attic (shown here). The photograph shows building eaves blocked by mineral wool insulation. In this case the builder and insulator were fortunate because even though roof venting was blocked, there was not an attic moisture problem. And we were pleased to note the absence of significant ice dam leak stains on the roof sheathing or rafters. Still, opening the soffits for venting can result in a cooler roof surface and longer shingle life, even if there are no moisture problems in the attic.

Here are some examples of blocked intake venting in an attic:

• Insulation stuffed into building eaves: Some homeowners and even some insulation installers love to stuff insulation into the soffit to reduce drafts, in order to try to warm the attic and thus slow heat loss from the building. In some instances they even block soffit vents.
  
  
• Perforated soffit vents over solid wood: many older homes have had exterior siding and soffit coverings installed, often of aluminum or vinyl. But very often we find that perforated soffit vent panels were installed directly over the older solid wood soffit covering. So even though an outside inspection shows that soffit or eaves ventilation appears to have been installed, in fact this is not the case. You can detect this condition easily: from outside simply push up on the vinyl or aluminum perforated soffit panels. If they contact a solid surface they were installed over solid plywood or wood boards at the building eaves. From inside the attic, if there is no insulation blocking the eaves, and if you do not see daylight, there is no working intake venting at the eaves or soffits.
  
  
• Deliberate Blocking at Eaves: in some older buildings, in an attempt to "warm up" a cold attic someone may have installed wood blocking between the rafters at the building eaves. In this case even if soffit vents are installed there will not be adequate air inflow. Remove this blocking when designing good attic venting. Be sure you're removing eaves blocking by noting that you can, after its removal, see into the soffit overhang at the building eaves. For safety, do not remove fire blocking found between wall studs which may show at an attic floor.)

How do I Unblock Obstructed Roof Eaves by Installing Roof Vent or Soffit Baffles in the Attic

The best place for locating or placing attic insulation, from the view of avoiding attic condensation and ice dams, is in the attic floor or up the sides of attic knee walls. This leaves a cold, drafty attic, but it means longer shingle life and no attic condensation problems. Avoid placing insulation between the rafters unless special venting measures are also taken.

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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).
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INTERIORS of BUILDINGS
AIR BYPASS LEAKS
AIR LEAK DETECTION TOOLS
AIR LEAK MINIMIZATION
AIR SEALING STRATEGIES
BATHROOM VENTILATION
BASEMENT WATERPROOFING
BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION
BRICK LINED WALLS
BUCKLED FOUNDATIONS due to INSULATION?
CATHEDRAL CEILING INSULATION
FREEZE-PROOF A BUILDING
ATTIC CONDENSATION CAUSE & CURE
Air Bypass Leaks, Thermal Tracking
Blocked Soffit Intake Vents
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

More Information on Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

More Reading about Dealing with Attic Mold, Identifying, Removing, and Preventing Mold in Attics

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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