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TOPIC: Ice Buildup

Ridge Vent Snow covered

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I am planning on installing vertical seam panels on my existing ashphalt roof. My ventilation on the bottom 1/3rd of roof is not great. My contactor suggests using a ridge vent and NOT ventilating it to the attic, but simply ventilating air between old roof and metal. How will the ridge vent work when snow covered, I live in the Canadian snow belt! Also, with 1x3 horizontal strapping, how does it ventilate from the bottom to top anyway. Is is simply by air getting through the ribs over the strapping? Thanks
Guest User

2/6/2004
If the ridge vent is working properly, it will typically keep itself fairly clear of snow because of the warm air coming out of it. Some ventilation will occur between the ribs of the metal roofing. I am wondering where the intake air is coming from -- I guess just from leaving the ribs open at the bottom? I am not sure why your contractor doesn't wnat to open up the attic. Ideally, the attic would be vented with intake soffit vents and then the roof ridge vent as an exhaust. If you do end up trying to vent from the roofing ribs, Cor-A-Vent has a new vent product which would be installed on top of all of your battens to allow airflow. You can fine them through an internet search. If you do this, make sure it is acceptable to your roofing manufacturer before proceeding. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

2/7/2004
Guest User

2/25/2004
We had a metal roof installed last fall. After 3 years of leaking valleys where an addition met our existing log home. Metal was to be the cure. Now we still have water inside. Contractor feels that snow covering ridge vent created water source which froze and dammed half way down valley. He suggests installing power vent in cupola where gables meet to remedy...what do you think?
Guest User

2/25/2004