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Homeowner Hut

The Air Vent Homeowner Hut—a dedicated place for tips, ideas, and resources for the homeowner. If you would like to submit your innovative idea, clever home improvement tip, or other homeowner resource to be featured here, reach out to us on our Facebook page.

 

Use the links below to sort through our Homeowner content:

 

   

 

 

 

Homeowner Tips
Homeowner Tips 


Air VentNovember 10, 2022

Tip for Homeowners: Give Yourself a Fighting Chance Against Ice Dams

Homeowner Hut

“I know one house that won’t have ice dams this year! The homeowner already vented the ridge of the roof (attic exhaust ventilation) and now they will have cool air intake (attic intake ventilation) that never really existed before even though it looked like it did! See the photos. The attic is properly insulated.” – Sabrina Johnson, KDCO Home Improvement, Inc., Akron, OH. Homeowners, an important step in a 3-part defense against ice dams is proper attic ventilation: intake and exhaust.


PDF Read more about how to fight ice dams before they start

PDFListen to our podcast episode with Sabrina Johnson about ice dams

 

 

 

Air VentSeptember 23, 2022

Tip for Homeowners: This Tool Can Help You Find a Contractor

Homeowner Hut

To help with your search for a roofing contractor, Air Vent offers this Contractor Locator resource. Enter your zip code/postal code and a list of contractors in your area will appear. If you do not see a contractor listed for your area, email Paul Scelsi and he’ll try to help you find one. Don’t forget to ask your roofing contractor to make sure your attic ventilation is balanced 50% intake airflow and 50% exhaust airflow.


 

 

 

Air VentSeptember 1, 2022

Tip for Homeowners: Check Attic INTAKE & EXHAUST Vents

Homeowner Hut

“This roof does not have enough attic intake ventilation or enough exhaust ventilation. And the intake venting that it did have was blocked inside the attic by the insulation. Also, the bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans are not working correctly in this duplex with two large families.” – Ryan Esquivel, Keith Green Construction, Aloha, OR.

Unfortunately, a concerning percentage of today’s homes do not have correct attic ventilation. We examined the issue in our podcast episode  PDF"Most Homes Have Incorrect Attic Ventilation. So What?”


Additional Resources:

 Magazine Article Read the article: What Homeowners Should Know About Attic Ventilation

 Magazine Article Read the article: Homeowner Self-Help Attic Ventilation Inspection

 

 

 

Air VentAugust 4, 2022

Tip for Homeowners: Don’t Cut the Life of Your Shingles Short

Homeowner Hut

“These photos show a 50-year shingle after 22 years. How much money was really saved by not including proper attic ventilation of intake and exhaust vents when the new roof was installed?” asks Jerry Becker, Roof Life of Oregon, Tigard, OR. We examined the shortened life of shingles as a direct result of incorrect attic ventilation in our podcast episode “Improper Attic Ventilation Reduces Shingle Life 24%.”  Listen here PDF


 Magazine Article Read the article: Educating Homeowners About Attic Ventilation

 

 

 

Air VentApril 20, 2022

Tip for Homeowners: Do You Know Where the Bath Fan Moisture Goes?

Homeowner Hut

Home inspectors and roofing contractors are increasingly red flagging incorrect bathroom fan ductwork. Where is the ductwork taking the moisture? Where does the bathroom ductwork terminate? If the ductwork does not remove the bathroom moisture correctly to the outdoors it could lead to trouble like the photos from Trevor Atwell show. Our podcast interview with Barry Sigler, Barry Sigler Inspections, Canton, OH reveals 3 common mistakes he witnesses with bathroom fan ductwork.


PDFListen to our Podcast episode on the topic

 Magazine Article Read the article and see Barry’s photographic findings inside Roofing Magazine

 

 

 

Air VentJanuary 6, 2022

Tip for Homeowners: Fight Ice Dams with a 3-Part Plan

Homeowner Hut

Homeowners can work with roofing professionals to fight the formation of ice dams – and the resulting damage they cause – with a 3-part plan.

  1. Proper R-Value of attic insulation based on the climate zone where the house is located. Insulation helps to keep the warm living space air from escaping into the colder attic where it can become problematic. Sealing possible airflow openings into the attic is also important such as recessed can lights, electrical chases, etc.

  2. Balanced attic ventilation using intake and exhaust vents based on the attic’s square footage. Proper airflow in the attic helps to remove any living space air that escaped into the attic in a timely manner.  It also helps to keep the attic temperature closer to the outside temperature to reduce the likelihood of ice dams.

  3. Water-protective membrane under the shingles. This will help reduce – if not prevent – any damage the ice dams cause.

Thank you to Tim Chapin, Your Safe and Healthy Home, Akron, OH, for finding and sharing these examples of ice dams.


 PDF Magazine Article: Fight Ice Dams Before they Start

PDFListen to our Podcast episode on the topic

 

 

 

Air VentSeptember 2, 2021

Tip for Homeowners: Switching to Ridge Vents Could Help Your Roof Last Longer

Homeowner Hut

Homeowners should question the roofing estimate from the roofing contractor, including the attic ventilation section. In the role play in this podcast episode you’ll hear pointed questions from the homeowner about the scope of work for the project. Are the contractor’s answers sufficient?


PDFListen to our Podcast episode on the topic

 

 

 

 

Air VentAugust 26, 2021

Tip for Homeowners: Adding a 2nd Type of Attic Exhaust WILL NOT Help Remove Heat Buildup

Homeowner Hut

“This roof already had ridge vents from the previous roof replacement. But the HVAC contractor recommended adding a solar power fan because the ridge vents were not moving enough air.”
– Don Ogden, public insurance adjuster in Texas.

Mixing types of exhaust vents is never the correct answer because it short-circuits the attic ventilation system. Instead, homeowners should check if there is enough intake ventilation at the soffit/low on the roof, make sure the openings for the ridge vent are proper, and confirm that ridge vents are best suited for the roof’s shape/design. But never mix or combine different types of attic exhaust vents on the same roof above a common attic.


 PDF Read: Vent Those Hot Attics Carefully

 PDF Read: Mixing Exhaust Vent Types is Problematic

PDFListen to our Podcast episode on the topic

 

 

 

 

Air VentJuly 8, 2021

Tip for Homeowners: Attic Ventilation Helped Lower the Energy Bill 25%

Homeowner Hut

While the energy savings resulting from balanced attic ventilation will vary, for this homeowner it was 25%. In this one-on-one podcast interview with Khaled Kazmi, roof specialist at Precision Roof Crafters, Houston, TX, you’ll hear his findings from the attic inspection including insulation blocking the intake vents, sweating ductwork and excessively high temperatures. You’ll enjoy the text message from the happy homeowner, too. Rely on proper attic ventilation to help fight heat buildup and reduce your energy bill.


PDFListen to our Podcast episode on the topic

PDF The Optimum Attic Ventilation System

 

 

 

 

Air VentJune 24, 2021

Tip for Homeowners: Don’t Cut the Life of Your Roof Shingles Short 24%

Homeowner Hut

Our poll of residential roofing contractors across North America revealed improper intake and exhaust attic ventilation can reduce the service life of shingles 24%. Evidence of this includes brittle shingles, premature dry-out, and extreme to complete granule loss (as found in this photo by Bill Corley, Style Exteriors by Corley, Oak Lawn, IL). Getting a new roof is the perfect time to evaluate if your attic has enough ventilation.


PDF Read the full article explaining what the roofing contractors witnessed

PDFListen to our Podcast episode on the topic

Use our free online calculator to check if your attic has enough ventilation

 

 

 

 

Air VentJune 17, 2021

Tip for Homeowners: Don’t Let Paint Block the Airflow into the Attic

Homeowner Hut

A fresh coat of paint on the house exterior can improve its look. So can a brand new paint color. Just be sure the paint is not clogging the intake vents. In the photo found and shared here by Daniel White, Roof Life of Oregon, Tigard, OR, the paint is significantly clogging the intake vents. That significantly reduces the incoming airflow into the attic. Proper attic ventilation needs to be a balanced system of intake vents and exhaust vents to effectively fight heat, moisture and ice dams. Keep an eye on the intake vents to be sure they are not painted over.



Air Vent University - Lesson Plan and Pop Quiz:
What Good are Attic Exhaust Vents? They’re Not without Proper Intake Vents.

 

 

 

 

Air VentJune 10, 2021

Tip for Homeowners: Before Buying the House, Check Inside the Attic

Homeowner Hut

“The homeowner bought this house not knowing that the cut-outs for the attic exhaust vents (roof louvers/box vents) were roofed over. The homeowner also did not know that intake vents were blocked by the attic insulation inside the attic. Basically, there was zero attic ventilation. We noticed the attic had been treated for mold. When it was time to replace this roof, no other contractors asked to go into the attic before submitting a roofing proposal.”

Ryan Esquivel, Keith Green Construction, Aloha, OR


Listen to our Podcast episode: Most Homes Have Incorrect Attic Ventilation. So What?

 

 

 

 

Air VentMay 27, 2021

Tip for Homeowners: Don’t Be Fooled by the Intake Vents You Think You See

Homeowner Hut

Homeowners, double-check your soffit panels in your overhang or ask your roofing contractor to look. Unfortunately, what appears to be fully vented soffit is significantly blocked by the solid portions of soffit on the other side. It should be 100% clear and free beyond the fully vented soffit so the essential intake air can enter the attic.

It’s the intake air combined with the exhaust ventilation high on the roof or at the peak that combines to fight heat and moisture buildup inside the attic. No one will know it’s wrong unless it’s checked. Thank you for checking this and sharing it, Samantha Prier, Vision Construction Co. LLC, Olathe, KS.


Listen to our Podcast episode #1 Attic Ventilation Mistake Across North America featuring first-hand intake ventilation observations from residential roofing pros.

 

 

 

 

Air VentMay 20, 2021

Tip for Homeowners: Contractor Locator Helps You Find a Roofer

Homeowner Hut

Homeowners, if you’re looking for a roofing contractor to replace your roof or inspect its condition, use this handy tool Contractor Locator. It’s a zip code/postal code-based listing of contractors in your area. If you don’t see a contractor listed for your area, email Paul Scelsi and he’ll try to help you find one. Be sure to ask the roofing contractor to check that your attic ventilation is balanced with proper intake and exhaust vents based on your attic’s square footage (length x width floor of the attic).


 

 

 

 

Air VentApril 29, 2021

Tip for Homeowners: Ask Your Insurance Company to Pay for Proper Attic Ventilation.

Homeowner Hut

Homeowners, when you are working with your insurance company to replace a storm-damaged roof, ask to include the cost for proper attic ventilation. We’ve bundled various 3rd-party resources to assist with your claim. Find them all on one page here.


Additional Resources:

Podcast Podcast: Airing it Out with Air Vent, Episode 12: Getting Insurance to Pay to Bring the Attic Ventilation Up to Code


 

 

 

 

Air VentApril 22, 2021

Tip for Homeowners: Help restore our Earth every day.

Homeowner Hut

Earth Day is April 22 every year. Here are some ideas to help make every day Earth Day.

    1. When on a walk or run outside, pick up a piece of trash and dispose of it properly (recycle it?).

    1. Carry an extra set of reusable eating utensils wherever you go (in your vehicle in your backpack in your purse) so you can use them instead of plastic utensils when eating away from home.

    1. Always have easy access to a reusable bag to cut back on single-use plastic bags. If you drive to the store keep them in the basket/storage area. If you walk keep reusable bags near the front door.

For more ideas


PDF Check out some Earth-Friendly tips collected by Air Vent from roofing pros and our Facebook Friends


 

 

 

 

Air VentApril 1, 2021

Tip for Homeowners: Decorative

Homeowner Hut

“This wind turbine pumpkin became a big hit in the office.”

– Katherine Wilson Belton MO

We like Katherine. Fall or spring or anytime of year. Very creative!


 

 

 

 

Air VentMarch 4, 2021

Be Careful Installing Attic Insulation. You Don’t Want to Block the Intake Vents in the Soffit.

Homeowner Hut

When insulation is added to the attic feeding the exhaust vents high on the roof at or near the peak. If the intake airflow is blocked they cannot work.

“We installed this roof 18 years ago. Someone came along recently and added insulation tight to the bottom of the roof deck. The lack of intake ventilation contributed to significant wood rot.”

– Ron Bastian Richfield WI.


Listen to our Podcast episode #1 Attic Ventilation Mistake Across North America featuring first-hand intake ventilation observations from residential roofing pros.

 

 

 

Air VentFebruary 18, 2021

Excessive Moisture in Your Attic Can be Problematic in the Winter. Troubles Include Mold and Poor Indoor Air Quality.

Homeowner Hut

The same moisture we generate in the summer living inside our homes (through cooking the attic is now colder and the moisture is attracted to it. If it’s excessive and/or it remains in the attic too long showering etc.) becomes problematic when the calendar says winter. Unlike the summer months


 PDF Read our industry article published inside Roofing Contractor Magazine: “Attic Ventilation is Not Just a Summertime Concern."

Listen to our Podcast episode Fighting Wintertime Moisture featuring Jerry Becker sharing what he has learned fighting wintertime moisture in the attic

 

 

 

Air VentJanuary 28, 2021

Avoid Winter Moisture Buildup Inside Your Attic. Balanced Attic Ventilation Can Help Prevent the Damage.

Homeowner Hut

Through activities like cooking dryer attic where it can become a problem. A balanced system of attic exhaust and intake vents can help fight this.

the average family of four generates 2 to 4 gallons of water vapor DAILY. In the winter this moisture is attracted to the colder

Listen to our Podcast episode Fighting Wintertime Moisture featuring Jerry Becker sharing what he has learned fighting wintertime moisture in the attic

 

 

 

Air VentDecember 31, 2020

Ice Dams vs. Roofs. Give Your Roof a Fighting Chance Against Mother Nature

Homeowner Hut

Completely eliminating ice dams is likely not possible. But there are steps you can take to reduce their frequency and severity.


Listen to our Podcast episode Ice Dams vs. Roofs featuring an Ohio roofing contractor sharing her experiences fighting Mother Nature.

 PDF Download: Ventilation Views: Ice Dams

 

 

 

Air VentDecember 17, 2020

Fighting Ice Dams? Don’t Let Your Solution Ignore the Problem

Homeowner Hut

Raking may clear the snow from your roof. Heat tape may melt the ice near your roof’s edge. But have you SOLVED the reason the ice dams are forming in the first place?


 PDF Download: Ventilation Views: Ice Dams

 PDF Download: Ice Dams vs. Roofs

 

 

 

Air VentDecember 3, 2020

Cold Hard Facts about Ice Dams: Your Attic Needs Proper Insulation and Ventilation

Homeowner Hut

Making a home’s living space more energy efficient with improved doors and windows could inadvertently contribute to ice dams if the attic insulation and ventilation is not also considered.


 PDF Download: Ventilation Views: Ice Dams

 PDF Download: Ice Dams vs. Roofs

 

 

 

Air VentSeptember 10, 2020

Homeowner Alert: Roofers Will Walk Away if You Won’t Allow Them to Do it Right

Homeowner Hut

Homeowner


 PDF Download: Dear Homeowner

 

 

 

Air VentAugust 27, 2020

Homeowner Alert: Price Should Not be the Bottom Line

Homeowner Hut

Homeowner


 PDF Download: Dear Homeowner

 PDF Video Clip: Does the Homeowner Understand Scope of Work Differences

 

 

 

Air VentAugust 6, 2020

Homeowner Alert: Your Roofer Has Something to Tell You

Homeowner Hut

The reason quality-conscious roofing contractors discuss attic ventilation with homeowners is the potential energy savings it can yield


 PDF Download: Dear Homeowner

 

 

 

Air VentJuly 16, 2020

Homeowners check the attic intake vents first…

Homeowner Hut

…after checking the attic intake vents


 PDF Download: HVAC Contractor Alert: Vent Those Hot Attics Carefully

 

 

 

Air VentJuly 2, 2020

Homeowners for example by adding a power fan is a mistake.

Homeowner Hut

No matter how hot the attic is


 PDF Download: HVAC Contractor Alert: Vent Those Hot Attics Carefully

 

 

 

Air VentJune 18, 2020

Homeowners

Homeowner Hut

Attics will be hot in the summer


 PDF Download: HVAC Contractor Alert: Vent Those Hot Attics Carefully

 

 

 

Air VentJune 11, 2020

Homeowners avoid these mistakes.

Homeowner Hut

In an effort to help improve the home’s air conditioning system


 PDF Download: HVAC Contractor Alert: Vent Those Hot Attics Carefully

 

 

 

Air VentMay 11, 2020

Homeowner Alert: Another Reason Homeowner’s Insurance Should Pay to Get the Attic Ventilation Up to Code

Homeowner Hut

When Homeowner’s Insurance agrees to pay the full cost to bring attic ventilation up to code during an approved roof replacement claim


 PDF Download: Attic Airflow is a Roof's "Insurance Policy"

 

 

 

Air VentMay 6, 2020

Homeowner Alert: Your Roofer Has Something to Tell You

Homeowner Hut

When we reached out to residential roofing contractors across North America asking them what they’d like to tell homeowners about attic ventilation prior to starting a roofing project


 PDF Download: Dear Homeowner

 

 

 

Air VentMay 4, 2020

When homeowner’s insurance asks you to re-use the existing attic exhaust vents during a new roof installation, say “No!"

Homeowner Hut


Neither the attic ventilation manufacturer nor the shingle manufacturer recommend re-using the existing attic exhaust vents when installing a new roof. It’s a recipe for a future leak; not to mention damage during the process.

Download the full article below:


 PDF Download: Attic Airflow is a Roof's "Insurance Policy"

 

 

 

Air VentApril 27, 2020

Another reason homeowner’s insurance should cover the cost of proper attic ventilation for a claim-approved, storm-damaged roof replacement: Shingle Warranty.

Homeowner Hut


To receive the full terms of the shingle warranty for a brand new roof, it must have proper attic ventilation. We have an entire document focused on helping homeowners secure insurance approval for attic ventilation costs.

Download the full article below:


 PDF Download: Attic Airflow is a Roof's "Insurance Policy"

 

 

 

Air VentApril 13, 2020

Why should homeowner's insurance cover the cost of proper attic ventilation for a claim-approved, storm-damaged roof replacement?

Homeowner Hut


Why should homeowner's insurance cover the cost of proper attic ventilation for a claim-approved, storm-damaged roof replacement? Because building code calls for proper attic ventilation. We have an entire document focused on helping homeowners secure insurance approval for attic ventilation. Download it below:


 PDF Download: Attic Airflow is a Roof's "Insurance Policy"

 

 

 

Air VentApril 6, 2020

Homeowner Self-Help Attic Ventilation Inspection Checklist

Homeowner Hut


Homeowners, to assist your roofing contractor, complete the questions in this attic inspection checklist and share the results. This checklist will help you and your contractor identify potential problems with your attic ventilation system and ensure these issues are properly addressed during the roofing project. Consider taking your own photos and sharing them with your contractor.


 PDF Download: Homeowner Self-Help Attic Ventilation Inspection

 

 

 

Air VentMarch 30, 2020

Homeowner Alert: Attic Airflow is a Roof's "Insurance Policy"

Homeowner Hut


Proper attic ventilation helps a residential roof meet its life expectancy because it helps to fight summertime heat buildup, wintertime moisture buildup and ice dams in snow regions. Additionally, the full terms of the shingle warranty are tied to proper attic ventilation and building code clearly specifies proper attic ventilation. And yet, during our best practices in residential attic ventilation seminars for roofing professionals across North America increasingly we’re hearing, “Homeowner’s Insurance refuses to pay the cost for the attic ventilation and so the homeowner is asking us to skip it; which means the brand-new roof will not have proper attic ventilation.”

Click the link below to read the fill report


 PDF Download: Attic Airflow is a Roof's "Insurance Policy"

 

 

 

Air VentDecember 19, 2019

Tip for Homeowners: Be Careful Painting the Intake Vents

Homeowner Hut

Painted-over intake vents can significantly reduce the airflow through the vents. Avoid clogging/restricting the intake into your attic. Thank you for sharing this, Trevor Atwell from Atwell Exterior Services, LLC, Greenville, NC.


 

 

 

Air VentDecember 12, 2019

Survey Says...Many residential attics could benefit from improved attic ventilation


In our poll of residential roofing contractors across North America, 77% of the homes today have improper attic ventilation, including not enough or incorrect ventilation. It only makes sense, then, that the roofing contractor brings it up during the estimating process for your new roof. If the contractor doesn’t, that should be a red flag to you.


 

 

 

Air VentNOVEMBER 21, 2019

Tip for Homeowners: "A Word of Caution about Humidifiers"

Homeowner Hut

Double-check the settings when using humidifiers. Common household models can add over 15 gallons of moisture to your home daily, which can be challenging for the attic ventilation system to handle. Check out "A Word of Caution about Humidifiers" shared by a roofing contractor.


 PDF Download: "A Word of Caution about Humidifiers" 

 

 

 

Air VentNOVEMBER 7, 2019

Homeowner Alert: Your Roofer Has Something to Tell You

Homeowner Hut

“Attic ventilation gives you a return on investment better than any other ‘system’ within the roof assembly. Lower electricity costs and extended roof life...”

 

– Chris Arrington, Arrington Roofing, Dallas, TX.


 PDF Download: Dear Homeowner, Your Roofer Has Something to Tell You

 

 

 

Air VentOCTOBER 24, 2019

Industry Tips: What Homeowners Should Know About Attic Ventilation

Homeowner Hut

One of our most popular handouts at the annual Air Vent "Ask the Expert" Seminars. Making the Top Five list for homeowners: Exhaust without Intake is useless.


 PDF Download: What Homeowners Should Know About Attic Ventilation

 

 

 

Air VentOCTOBER 10, 2019

Tip for Homeowners: Do not mix exhaust types

Homeowner Hut

“Cross venting (or short-circuiting) is when a roof has more than one attic exhaust vent system. The vent systems don't work correctly, pulling air from each other instead of from the soffit vents at the eave. Potentially they can pull rain and snow into the attic. One exhaust vent system per roof please. In this example, there is an electric power fan, wind turbines, and Box Vents."

 

– Sue McCollum May, A Better Way Construction & Roofing, Lincoln, NE.

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Air VentOCTOBER 3, 2019

Tip for Homeowners: Find a creative use for old wind turbines.

Homeowner Hut

“I cannot take credit for this idea but definitely put them into the right hands. I have a creative friend who knew exactly what to do with these rusted turbines we removed on a recent roofing project."

 

– Trevor Atwell, Atwell Exterior Services, Greenville, NC.

 Air Vent FacebookView on Facebook

 

 

 

Air VentSEPTEMBER 26, 2019

Roofing projects are not just about the price.


“A customer today told me I sold myself because I paid attention to the detail part of the roofing project, which included intake and exhaust ventilation; and explaining I was going to check under the roof decking in the cathedral ceiling area to make sure there is proper airflow. That is why I was awarded the job. It was not about the price difference. It was about the detailed part of my presentation. He said my price was higher but I was doing more work for his dollar."

 

– Ron Bastain, Bastain Roofing, Richfield, WI.


Air Vent FacebookView on Facebook

 

 

 

Air Vent Contractor LocatorOur exclusive Contractor Locator will allow you to find contractors in your area who can assist with Air Vent product installation—including solar attic fans and skylight tubes. Click the link below to register and get started.

 

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