Snow in attic

[Gerald C. Wilcox]

Did an inspection about 6-mo ago for a client, roof looked fine no real issues. Had a phone call from the client a few days ago, snow was observed in the attic near roof vent and an attic ventilator. We had just had 14+ inches of snow with wind gusts up to 40 mph. Apparently enough snow accumulated and began to melt and moisture was observed on an interior wall. There have been no issues with previous rain or snow. It is obvious that this past storm with it's wind and snow was the problem. Would you recommend that they put a filter media similar to the ridge vent to prevent future occurences?

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by gwilcox

Did an inspection about 6-mo ago for a client, roof looked fine no real issues. Had a phone call from the client a few days ago, snow was observed in the attic near roof vent and an attic ventilator. We had just had 14+ inches of snow with wind gusts up to 40 mph. Apparently enough snow accumulated and began to melt and moisture was observed on an interior wall. There have been no issues with previous rain or snow. It is obvious that this past storm with it's wind and snow was the problem. Would you recommend that they put a filter media similar to the ridge vent to prevent future occurences?

Altough that may be the remedy, until it is known for sure where the snow came in it is hard to recommend a fix.

A professional roofer can advise the homeowner also.

[Michael Larson]

A filter will only clog up and become ineffective.

Some ridge vents handle wind and snow better than others.

[Gerald C. Wilcox]

Indeed, although this is not a defect, nor was it possible to have forseen this, I would think of this as an option and if the same media could plug up in this application, it may plug up on a ridge vent as well.......

[Buck Hartley, CMI]

Found snow in the attic twice this week already, after the Christmas blizzard, 40 mph, blowing snow. Snow & Ice noted inside the roof vents. water stains on the ceiling below vent.

[Jeffery L. Haynes]

What ML said; there are several types of ridge vents that work great under such conditions..... the last thing you want is to plug up your venting system.

[Peter C. Russell]

Another problem I see in my area are roofers who run the ridge vents all the way to the end of the ridge. I always install/recommend they terminate about 3 feet from the end of the roof.

I also see this frequently in A dormers where the soffits are vented with the ridge, this will allow snow/water to blow up into the attic near the valley. In this case I recommend closing the soffit vent and just let the air out the ridge.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by gwilcox

Did an inspection about 6-mo ago for a client, roof looked fine no real issues. Had a phone call from the client a few days ago, snow was observed in the attic near roof vent and an attic ventilator. We had just had 14+ inches of snow with wind gusts up to 40 mph. Apparently enough snow accumulated and began to melt and moisture was observed on an interior wall. There have been no issues with previous rain or snow. It is obvious that this past storm with it's wind and snow was the problem. Would you recommend that they put a filter media similar to the ridge vent to prevent future occurences?

If this were my home....I would simply abandon the cheap roof vents. Next summer, have roofers upgrade the venting to ridge and soffit vents.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

In some instances under the right conditions, snow can come in through the soffit vents also. Although rare, this new product can help in preventing such an occurrence.
http://www.brentwoodindustries.com/s...cts/index.aspx

But this is a product that would have to be installed in new construction.

As far as ridge vents that help prevent snow from entering, I have found that this one works extremly well.
http://www.cor-a-vent.com/v300.cfm

And this one;
http://www.gaf.com/Content/GAF/RES1/...viewer=&module=

And page six of this one;
http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geuytsaT...PAVbooklet.pdf
Hope this helps.