OK, everyone. When we last left this topic, I had told everyone how we had excessive wind noise in our ridge vent that kept us up at night during wind storms (a regular occurence this time of year out here). We had quite the discussion regarding soffit vents contributing to this (they were too small/too large/not enough/too many). Well, I contacted Coravent, who said they had never had this problem, but sent me an L-channel baffle to put in front of the vent. That did no good (other than get me on the roof for 2 afternoons). So we contacted the roofer to come out and replace the vent with a lower profile, wider Coravent.
Well, he came out about 3-4 weeks ago, and wouldn’t you know it–no noise for 3 weeks (mainly because the winds disappeared!) UNTIL last night that is. We had pretty strong winds (15-30 MPH), and the ridge once again was noisy, albeit not as bad as before.
We need help here! The roof system is a heavy beam ceiling, with 2×6 T&G hemlock. On top of that is felt paper, followed by 2×6’s on edge, 16″ OC. Rigid foam insulation is wedged between the 2×6’s, and plywood on top of that, then more felt and the asphalt shingles. The vent opening on the ridge is per specs.
I know there has got to be a way to make this vent the strong, silent type! Anyone who has dealt with lots of wind and knows how to deal with this, don’t be shy! We want to sleep at night. Thanks.
Replies
I wonder if maybe the end of the felt paper might be sticking into the air flow of the vent.
If it is just the right length do you suppose it would vibrate back and forth making that kind of noise?
try cutting it back so there is no loose ends ...maybe feel around and see if you have anything else that is loose and light enough to vibrate.The foam for instance.
Anyone else with an idea?
The noise we hear in the ridge vent is the same as if you turned your head sideways into the wind (or if your signifigant other were to blow in your ear). It's only when the wind is over 10 MPH that we hear anything, and when we get our winter storms, we have sustained winds of up to 40 MPH with gusts around 60 not uncommon. We are on a ridge and very exposed to the winds, so this is an issue on average for 4-9 days a month in winter.
The ridge was re-installed just a few weeks ago, and as I said, the new, wider, lower-profile ridge is helping, but not enough to allow me to sleep through a storm.
Keep the ideas coming! Someone out there has our solution!!!
who knows what sound ridge vents make.?.. i certainly have never heard one singing..
first , we only use ShingleVent II.. but also... there is some kind of acoustic break in your house that shouldn't be there...
the noise outside on your roof should not be penetrating to the interior... it seems like you have more of an insulation problem than a ridgevent problem...
when you do acoustic treatments to reduce sound transmission.. the first thing you look for are holes... then vibration dampers.. and acoustic breaks
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Is it possible to get the sound pinpointed to a certain area of the vent or does the sound come from the whole length?
Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.
The other...proper application of risk.
Edited 1/25/2003 1:50:41 AM ET by rez
The noise comes along the entire ridge vent. The way we know the noise is coming from the ridge is that the only time it didn't make noise during a high wind situation is when it was covered with 6" of snow.....nice and quiet that night!
the only time it didn't make noise during a high wind situation is when it was covered with 6" of snow
Well, there's your answer! Just move the whole kit and kaboodle to a nice perma frost area!
I don't have any specific ideas, just the general observation that you need to change wind flow and turbulence over the ridge.
Based on half remembered stuff I've read over the years, you could consider things like a wind break on the ground within a reasonable distance of the house; or perhaps some sort of baffle (or baffles) along the lines of what you described.
I would try getting some 2x4s (or 2x3s) and temporarily fastening a row or two say 1' and 18" below the ridge; trial and error, shifting positions and the like, looking for something that will create enough turbulence just before the ridge to disturb whatever the turbulence is that's creating the noise.
Or maybe getting someone with a sheet metal break to bend some sheet metal into, say, a hockey stick profile with an inchy or two on the short side, and slide a row or two under the shingle courses up near the ridge.
Or, hire a teenager to come play the stereo on windy nights. I'll be happy to send mine along at fairly reasonable rates. Now that I think of it, how much would you charge?
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"I may have said the same thing before... But my explanation, I am sure, will always be different." Oscar Wilde