Attic Insulation Blocking Soffit Vents

Set the baffles inside the attic opening along with a loaded staple gun.

Attic insulation blocking soffit vents.

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. 3 clear loose fill insulation. So i see this 1946 house here in fl today. It s a very small house barely 1200 sq ft.

I presume that it has the soffit vents but after being in the attic i see that the insulation is blocking the soffit. Some homeowners and even some insulation installers love to stuff insulation. Someone added a ridge vent. Insulation stuffed into building eaves.

While effective at pulling in cooler air the biggest problem posed by this type of soffit vents is their positioning. If you see insulation unscrew the vent covers with a screwdriver and push it toward the center of the attic space. Baffle allows airflow and prevents insulation from blocking airflow. The insulation will resist heat transfer into the house.

Unblocking wood blocked soffits is labor intensive i ve done it we either remove the blocking entirely or cut most of it away followed by providing soffit intake venting and using baffles as needed to avoid blocking the openings with insulation. Perforated soffit vents over solid wood. It still has the old gable vents. Alternatively use two half sheets of 3 4 inch.

Accuvent original attic soffit vent systems fits 14 5 inch x 41 inch soffit areas 16 o c. Lay strips of 3 4 inch plywood that are at least 24 inches wide across the floor of the attic. The soffit vents are now installed but you still need to make sure there s no insulation blocking the new vents. Here are some examples of blocked intake venting in an attic.

If the attic is insulated with fiberglass batts just pull back any that are blocking the flow of air. Homeowners can too easily inadvertently block them when insulating the attic. Never cover attic soffit vents with insulation use rafter vents and soffit vents to maintain airflow. How to keep blow in insulation out of soffits.

You need one baffle for each. The airflow from the soffits to the ridge vent keeps the roof cool and prevents ice dams and the material will block that flow. Climb the ladder and inspect the vent openings. For the same reason insulation shouldn t touch the roof s underside.