Roof venting - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Geo · 04-13-2006, 08:20 AM

Hi

newbie here and have some roofing questions

I ahve a split level home with a gable roof. I will be re-sheathing the roof as it looks in pretty bad condition( has a coupel of sags in it too), most of which i believe is from improper venting. The house was built in '65 and is in PA....Soffits are solid wood and have non vented aluminum over them. Is it best to add a ridge vent and redo the soffits, when i redo the sofits is it best to rip out the wood or should i just get a hole cutter and cut holes right down the line.

Thanks for any info, this isnt my profession but like any contractor I would rather do it my self

Grumpy · 04-13-2006, 08:41 AM

A ridge vent in combination with equal or greater soffit ventilation is about the best when you have a nice long ridge line. If you have any gable vents then you need to cover them up. I find it easier to run a circular saw the full length of the wood soffit then install a vented panel every 5' or so.

Grumpy · 04-13-2006, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geo

Thanks for any info, this isnt my profession but like any contractor I would rather do it my self

I actually prefer to know my limitations and let the pros do what they do best. After tackling a few of my own projects and knowing a pro would have done it better and in half the time and I would have more time to focus on making money... I have now decided to hire out my projects.

MJW · 04-13-2006, 05:13 PM

Having a house of that age, you may want to check the attic and see if venting the soffit will even breath. Most houses that age have a bird's mouth cut in the rafter and attached to the wall. This leaves very little space more ventilation. Most of the time this area is filled with insulation for heat and to have less ice build up. In PA I suppose you don't have much for ice build up.

747 · 04-13-2006, 08:35 PM

To answer the soffitt question. My house had soffits built out of plywood. The plywood was completely removed than aluminum soffits with the slits in them were installed. My house was built in 63

Geo · 04-13-2006, 09:14 PM

since i ripping off the roof i will have access to remove any insulation and correct the problem