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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
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    Canada
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    Default Snow in the attic

    I recently had a look at a friends attic and we were both surprised when we found snow! There had been a couple of days of heavy snow along with high winds over the last couple of weeks. The snow was only located at one side of the house and appeared to be entering through the gable vent at that end. The baffles on that end appeared to have quite a bit of separation and the screen was not very tight.

    Any thought other than wind driven snow that could have caused this and what might be done to mitigate against this in the future (other than replace the gable vents with ones that have a smaller open area)?

    There was also a bathroom fan venting directly into the attic space but there was no sign of frost (only snow). There also no other evidence of water staining on the sheathing or rafters that may suggest excess moisture in this space.

    Advices and responses appreciated!

    PDL

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
    Location
    WESTMINSTER CO
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    1,152

    Default Re: Snow in the attic

    yes fix the gable vent and that looks like vermiculite insulation in that attic--google that--and everyone stores old tires in attic i know i do

    cvf


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Guelph,Ontario
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    173

    Default Re: Snow in the attic

    Some times snow will enter in a normal roof vent as well,not often,depends on wind speed ,direction, etc.
    I see this rarely,and if no other issues are noted,I blame the weather.


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Caledon, Ontario
    Posts
    4,982

    Default Re: Snow in the attic

    If you have winds parallel with the ridge in gable vent its common to see snow. Sometimes if a screen is placed over the vent it will prevent snow entry.


  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Canada
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    Default Re: Snow in the attic

    Quote Originally Posted by CHARLIE VAN FLEET View Post
    yes fix the gable vent and that looks like vermiculite insulation in that attic--google that--and everyone stores old tires in attic i know i do

    cvf
    Thanks for the input. Vermiculite already tested and it does not contain asbestos.

    PDL


  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
    Location
    Southern Vancouver Island
    Posts
    4,607

    Default Re: Snow in the attic

    Kevin, you did add rats, so all I can add is moisture, when that snow melts, which will soak that fiberglass insulation.

    He might want to roll that paper or whatever it is up and stuff it into garbage bags before the snow melts.

    I would install a baffle to block the snow without sacrificing the venting. Piece of flashing open at the top, maybe?

    You can take 10 samples of vermiculite and find zero asbestos, but that doesn't mean you have zero asbestos. It just means there was none found in the samples.

    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Bozeman, Montana
    Posts
    94

    Default Re: Snow in the attic

    Put some screen over your vent and get rid of all that visqueen. Here is a picture of another attic with it's own winterscape. Metal roof and ridge with no vent mesh.

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  8. #8
    Matt Fletcher's Avatar
    Matt Fletcher Guest

    Default Re: Snow in the attic

    Good comments. I see small amounts of snow in attics all the time. I always mention it in the report but I am beginning to wonder if any vent is "snow proof"

    Matt
    Detroit Mold Inspection


  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Waterloo, Ontario
    Posts
    66

    Default Re: Snow in the attic

    That is why I don't recommend adding vents to an "under ventilated" (according to Code, or roofer) attic if there is no evidence of moisture problems in an attic. Vents can and do let rain and snow in. More is not always better.


  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Northern VA
    Posts
    11

    Default Re: Snow in the attic

    Quote Originally Posted by CHARLIE VAN FLEET View Post
    and everyone stores old tires in attic i know i do
    cvf
    ....and loudspeakers, don't forget the gable end mounted loudspeaker. A must have for announcing snow and scaring rats away.

    Last edited by P Chesnut; 02-22-2013 at 06:40 AM.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    IL
    Posts
    36

    Default Re: Snow in the attic

    I would suggest snow tires.


  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Centennial, CO
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    20

    Default Re: Snow in the attic

    Chestnut and Penn, you both crack me up. True LOL stuff.


  13. #13
    Donald Mead's Avatar
    Donald Mead Guest

    Red face Re: Snow in the attic

    I've seen snow in the attics but nothing bigger than bicycle tires!


  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Memphis TN.
    Posts
    4,311

    Default Re: Snow in the attic

    Quote Originally Posted by Donald Mead View Post
    I've seen snow in the attics but nothing bigger than bicycle tires!
    Your Just Not Trying Hard Enough.

    It Might have Choked Artie But it ain't gone'a choke Stymie! Our Gang " The Pooch " (1932)
    Billy J. Stephens HI Service Memphis TN.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    5

    Default Re: Snow in the attic

    Quote Originally Posted by Kevin Wood View Post
    Peter if you don't mind me asking, Where are you located and who does your testing?
    I am located in Halifax, NS. Testing for asbestos was not done under my supervision, nor did I do the inspection on this home when purchased. As such I have no idea where or who completed the testing. Home owner told me it was done. He did not tell me whether that the company took 2 or 10 samples, only that results of sampling was negative for asbestos.

    Speaker is for security system but I am sure it would be rewired to announce the build up of snow, presence of rats, or for an other applicable notification that may be required from time to time.

    PDL


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