Clean your soffit vents to improve attic ventilation
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Clean the vents
A short blast of compressed air will blow out debris.
If you notice that your soffit vents are dirty, don’t wait. You should clean soffit (eave) and other types of attic air
intake vents at least every couple of years, if not annually. The
best way to clean them is with blasts of compressed air to blow
away dust, dirt and any loose insulation that may have fallen into the soffit
area.
Attic ventilation is critical to the health of your house. It begins with
soffit vents that inhale outside air—necessary to create an airflow that
moves warm attic air out the roof vents. Once the air enters the soffit, it
usually proceeds through an air chute or some other opening along the
underside of the roof into the attic where it helps push warm attic air out
the roof vents (See “How Attic Venting Works” below). The plastic air chutes (from home
centers and building suppliers) in each rafter space keep the air path clear
between the rafters and the roof sheathing.
The benefits of ensuring good attic
airflow are fourfold:
- Reduces moisture buildup that
prevents mildew growth and rot
on your roof’s framing and
sheathing
- Reduces cooling costs during hot
weather, which can be dramatic if
your attic is under-insulated
- Extends shingle life by keeping the
roof cooler in hot weather
- Reduces ice dams and the potential
damage they cause during
snow season.
How Attic Venting Works
With good venting air flows up through the soffit vent and along the underside of the roof into the attic. It mixes with attic air and flows out through roof vents or a ridge vent higher up. This cools the attic in the summer and flushes out moisture in the winter.
