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adding soffit vents

cgram | Posted in General Discussion on August 6, 2005 12:38pm

I’m looking at a house on which the rafters end at the exterior wall – there is no roofoverhang or soffit. The gutters are hung tight against the fascia – i.e no vents. The interior has catehedral ceilings and there is a ridge vent. But clearly there is not adequate air movement as the ceiling is sagging and has pronounced dimples at the nails.

Is there a recommended way to add vents at the gutter line ? On the web I saw some sort of continuous vent which installs under the shingles at the gutter.

Or does it seem possible/adequate to put stand offs behind the gutter and then a vent  in the fascia board which runs across the rafter tails (i.e. between each rafter) ?  

 

Thanks

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  1. mbdyer | Aug 06, 2005 12:49am | #1

    Your situation could be simple or involved.  If the ceiling was "nailed", it should have been screwed.  Adding screws may well draw the sheets back up to the framing.  However the nails will pop and they and the screws will need compound finishing and paint.  Insure you add fasteners in the proper schedule, I think one every 8"along each rafter and every 6" at the ends..

    If the rafter bays are insulated without any airspace, fasia/gable vents won't do you much.  For this you need to get to the bays, i.e. quite a bit of demo, either ceiling or roofing.  Don't assume an airspace if there is a ridgevent, I've seen them nailed on without even cutting through the roof sheeting.  You'll have to open up a bit and inspect thoroughly.

    If you do have airspace and just need inlet venting, there are products that resemble fasia metal capping with a layer of ridgevent material(like a brillo pad)adhered to the inside.  I think Benjamin Obdyke makes one. 

    1. Hazlett | Aug 06, 2005 04:27am | #2

       a couple of times I have used vented drip edge( you have to hunt for it---it's not easy to find)

       Very easy install------but you do have to cut a slot in the lower area of roof decking

      does it work????---well I would say results were inconclusive

       Stephen

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