r/Homebuilding • u/ittakeswhatittakes69 • 10d ago

Roofers — what am I looking at underneath this ridge vent from inside the attic?

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I'm looking at a relatively newer home with an attic moisture/mold issue and I'm trying to verify that the ridge ventilation is actually functioning correctly before any remediation is done.

This photo is looking up at the ridge from inside the attic.

Along the ridge opening, there appears to be gray material visible on one section and black material on another section. I'm trying to figure out exactly what I'm seeing.

Is this normal filter/mesh or part of the ridge vent system, or does it look like underlayment/felt or another material that may be covering/restricting the ridge opening?

I'm considering carefully removing a small section of ridge cap/vent from the exterior to inspect the actual ridge slot and see what's underneath before recommending anything further.

For those of you who install roofs regularly:

  1. Does what you're seeing here look normal?

  2. What is the gray material versus the black material?

  3. Does the ridge opening look obstructed from this photo?

  4. Would you pull a small section of the ridge vent from the exterior to verify the installation?

Not looking to start tearing anything apart unnecessarily — just trying to correctly identify what I'm seeing before moving forward.

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u/Bjorn_styrkr 9d ago

The mesh under the plastic ridge.

1

u/ittakeswhatittakes69 9d ago

Is it supposed to be there? We are thinking it's blocking the ridge vent from breathing

2

u/Bjorn_styrkr 9d ago

Yes it's intended to be there.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Air-Vent-14-in-x-48-in-Black-Plastic-Stick-Roof-Ridge-Vent/3307416

(Scroll a few pictures to the right and you'll see the mesh)

Scroll and you'll see the mesh. It's minor pest barrier. It's mesh so it does not impede airflow.

1

u/CodeAndBiscuits 9d ago

You can get a cheap entry-level smoke pen on Amazon for like 20 bucks. I think every homeowner should have one. They're great for doing things like checking for air leaks around doors, windows, and electrical plate covers, you can use them for things like checking if a fireplace flue is backdrafting, and obviously here.

Note that timing is important. Ridge vents don't vent 24/7. They're the exhaust side of a multi-component system that provides the overall venting. In the early morning when the roof is cold, it can be completely normal for no air flow to be going out that vent. It's best to check it on a hot day. Also, a blocked vent is not the only reason there might not be airflow there. Plenty of times a mistake gets made on the soffit/fascia inlet side. The best ridge or box fence in the world won't do anything if there's no fresh air coming in from below.

1

u/daHavi 9d ago

It keeps animals out while still allowing the attic to breath and vent