Basements, Attics and Crawl Spaces - Ventilation Issues (not sure if this is a roofing or attic question)
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CharlotteAnn
03-10-06, 07:15 AM
We have a 17 yr old cape cod with cathedral ceiling in one side of house. After installing vinyl and a new roof, we've developed moisture/mold problems in the knee walls roof on the north side of the home and top attic space. We have soffits, but the insulation in knee wall is packed all the way up to the roof sheathing, & insulation in the cathedral part of the ceiling is packing almost right up to the roof sheathing, so there is basically no air flow from the soffits to the newly installed ridge vent. The mold is spotty, not all over. We've been told by an insulation person that there is no working space to put baffles between the rafters. Is there any way to open the airway between the cathedral ceiling insulation and roof, short of pulling down the ceiling drywall down or the tearing the roof off, and, if not, is there a way to vent the kneewall such as with a vent or exhaust vent/fan to provide air flow? Would a gable vent fan help draw the air out of the top portion of the attic?
chandler
03-10-06, 05:36 PM
Some of the other guys may have more insight on how to solve your problem, but as I see it, without allowing the air to make its way from the soffits to the ridge, you will continue having problems. I don't see any way to get this air to where it can properly ventilate without removing the existing packed insulation, installing baffles and reinstalling properly sized insulation, and that may require removing the ceiling sheetrock. Any attempt at ventilating without freeing up the space in the vault will meet with futility, as the air must move completely.
em69
03-13-06, 04:21 AM
CharlotteAnn,
You have mentioned the only ways which I know of to solve this problem. Remove the ceiling from inside or remove the roofing material from the outside.
What did you mean by "vinyl"? Where was this installed?
You have mentioned the only ways which I know of to solve this problem. Remove the ceiling from inside or remove the roofing material from the outside.
What did you mean by "vinyl"? Where was this installed?
CharlotteAnn
03-28-06, 12:45 PM
we installed vinyl siding to the outside of the home. seems our house is too tight, now. i just read something about densely packing insulation in cathedral ceilings instead of having an open air space. any thoughts on that? thanks so much.
em69
04-05-06, 09:29 AM
Vinyl siding does not make a house air tight.