Blocking Soffit Vents on Empty New House
potton
| Posted in General Questions on
My house with cathedral ceiling (single slope roof) in zone 6 is under construction and I will lack time to install the vented aluminium soffits before winter, but I need to block access to bird, mouse, etc to inside of roof.
QUESTION: Are there any issues with blocking all roof ventilation? (The ceiling will be have been insulated but the house will be unoccupied and barely heated – or not att all – during the winter).
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Replies
wont it take similar time to install the soffits as it will to block the spaces?
I want to install soffits after having installed wall’s wood siding, which will be next year…
The possible concern would be that even though it's unoccupied, the humidity could be high from construction moisture coming out of the concrete, drywall mud, possibly wet lumber, etc.
Good point. But concrete slab is sealed with 10mil poly, walls were prefab with dry lumber, and inside is still unfinished…
You’ll still get moisture drive from day/night temperature swings so you don’t want to block off your venting. I would get a roll of 1/4 or 1/2 inch mesh hardware cloth (it looks like giant window screen), then make critter barriers out of it. Hardware cloth is relatively cheap, chew proof, and readily available. This way you preserve your ventilation while also keeping out critters.
Bill
Thanks!