Thread: 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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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

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.

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.

Originally Posted by CHARLIE VAN FLEET

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Originally Posted by CHARLIE VAN FLEET

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.

I would suggest snow tires.

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

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

Originally Posted by Donald Mead

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

Your Just Not Trying Hard Enough.

Originally Posted by Kevin Wood

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