extream frost in the attic with new roof

What always amazes me is people - builders venting bath - kitchen - dryer vents out the soffit or the gable end. Don't they realize that any prevailing wind - breeze will cause air pressure against the wall of the house and push that exhaust air, usually hot and moist, right up into the attic cavity. All this venting needs to be through the roof to avoid condensation in the attic.

egg Said: We take out over-the-counter roof permits all the time and venting is never required or even mentiond, let alone specified, by the building departments.

I have had only one city ever inspect an attic for ventilation- and that was because the gas furnace was in the attic. The only thing the inspector required was that there be at least 1 box vent nearby to draw O2. They clearly knew nothing about air movement.

A remodeling contractor once told me that you can't put a soffit vent near a window because of fire. It made sense and on a lot of the older homes with soffits, they would skip the vent on panels over windows if the house had any vents at all. I could not find any rule to back that up, so I have gone ahead and vented the soffits as much as I can. If there is a risk of fire, the need for ventilation out-ways any need to smother the spread of fire in most cases.

egg: gutter guards by code eh? Do you mind telling me which brand/style you prefer?

Natty, here the connection you are referring to is in the specifications for structures in designated "wildland districts" and is pretty extreme. For instance, it is mandatory that all gutters have screens to prevent dry combustible material from collecting in them. (This doesn't work so well for pine needles, but it's just a matter of time before they micro-manage what type of screen can be used.) Soffit vents, frieze block vents, etc, have to be fire-rated. This usually means they contain a filter of stainless steel webbing. As it was explained to me, in the enhanced draft conditions of a wildfire, flame and sparks will use the vent chutes to gain access to the structure, running up from the base of the wall and getting sucked up into the passive vent channels. These districts typically are exposed to forest fires, have poor or restricted access for fire-fighters, and aren't located within the jurisdiction of a municipal fire department. Elsewhere the venting is controlled by Title 24 energy regulations on new work, warrantee issues by the manufacturers, and homeowners' and roofers' preferences on reroofs. We take out over-the-counter roof permits all the time and venting is never required or even mentiond, let alone specified, by the building departments.

twill59 Said: I thought the Ventilation in HVAC was for commercial applications, installation/ service. The type of systems where air is pushed / pulled/ exchanged with the assistance of mechanical power/ apparatuses.

NOT exactly the systems we have in cold attics.

I just cant buy the argument that a Mechanical Contractor is going to fix the problems that, for example, a careless siding guy or insulator caused.

The process that drops this in the roofers lap, is that is usually takes a boatload of fools (drywaller, homeowner, insulator, roofer, carpenter, builder, electrician, sider, HVAC, architect, plumber) to cause the problem and one good (real) roofer to fix it

Ventilation has to do with life & property safety, however it's manifested; Passive or forced. It is, (should be), a purposeful/definitive design process within a bldg. structure.

Your correct, in that a lot of instances, it is simply overlooked & is a resultant condition rather than a thought-out aspect, thereby leaving remedies to the guess-by-golly home builder/modeler or roofer.....and life goes on.....

My comments where simply to point out that it simply depends on what a contractor wants to take-on as responsibilities.

People pronounce/proclaim things enough and it becomes the norm/reality of the moment, so--to-speak.

natty Said:

TomB Said: Its a regional thing - I guess.

Is it true that in the dryer regions of the west, soffit venting is prohibited because of the fear of fire?

While "soffits" are not as common in the west, where most eaves are open, (as compared to east of the CD), intake/lower ventilation is crucial; It's usually accomplished by providing vents between rafter/truss tails above exterior walls.

I'm not aware of any code changes in relation to lower attic venting, (then, of course, I'm no HVAC expert). No tell'n though - Some local municipalities could very well have instilled any number of concocted ideas within their own bldg. depts.

I thought the Ventilation in HVAC was for commercial applications, installation/ service. The type of systems where air is pushed / pulled/ exchanged with the assistance of mechanical power/ apparatuses.

NOT exactly the systems we have in cold attics.

I just can't buy the argument that a Mechanical Contractor is going to fix the problems that, for example, a careless siding guy or insulator caused.

The process that drops this in the roofers lap, is that is usually takes a boatload of fools (drywaller, homeowner, insulator, roofer, carpenter, builder, electrician, sider, HVAC, architect, plumber) to cause the problem and one good (real) roofer to fix it

TomB Said: Its a regional thing - I guess.

It's a regional thing - I guess.

We work both west & east of CD. In the west, attic ventilation is taken seriously and is a definitive design issue, by architects/designers & HVAC professionals.....Not-so-much east of the CD.

TomB Said:

Just remember; Once you offer advice/design, youve bought it, so-to-speak....It sets up a well-intended roofer for possible litigation down the road.

As far as ventilation is concerned, I have not yet met an HVAC person who knows squat about attic ventilation. Maybe that "V" in their name has something to do with the interior of the building.

HVAC - (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning). It doesn't matter how it's orchestrated - Passive,forced, encouraged, etc.....It's on the designer, should an opportunistic individual exploit a moisture, mold, sickness/property damage issue that may arise out of improper ventilation.

I remember you said that before Tom.....I don't yet understand how their is a connection between HVAC & Passive attic venting

Here's another regional idiosyncrasy, where roofer's have taken-on what is actually an HVAC issue.

Just remember; Once you offer advice/design, you've "bought it", so-to-speak....It set's up a well-intended roofer for possible litigation down the road.

Attic venting issues are typical with re-roofs and we all want to help - Just be careful/definitive in your contract, as to what your providing.

Not here to cause problems, but my house has continuous soffit vent, those old metal ridge vent and 2- 24"x24" gable vents and all bath vents, vent outside and I have not venting problems. never had any ice problems, frost problems, etc.

Beats me OS