Soffit Mystery

[LarryBud]

Hi Folks. This is off topic but I’m betting someone can answer this question. I’m at my Son’s home in Denver and there are what looks to be access panels in the soffit all around the house. It doesn’t make sense to me. Anyone know why these were cut in?

 

[DaveFromMi]

Can you access those covers from the attic?

 

[D2Cat]

Are the panels just laying in place, not attached? Maybe in cold weather you leave them shut, in the heat of summer you open them to ventilate the attic? Be interesting to know if there is a screen frame up in there to replace the panel when open. Just guessing!

 

[LarryBud]

It’s covered in a layer of insulation but it appears that the attic goes all the way out to the end of the roof line.

 

[Tughill Tom]

How old is the home? Maybe a Roof ventilation project gone wrong. Can't tell without pic's from above. I.E, I'm old Home Inspector.

 

[Russell King]

Are there any roof vents or ridge vents? Standard insulation or spray foam on roof deck?

Is there any vents in the soffit other than these (if they were open)?

 

[LarryBud]

The house was built in 1960. The soffit doors appear to be tacked in pretty well. Not easily removed.


On the roof we have two 12X12” vents.

The roof insulation is a combo of batts and blown in.

 

[Tughill Tom]

The house was built in 1960. The soffit doors appear to be tacked in pretty well. Not easily removed.


On the roof we have two 12X12” vents.

The roof insulation is a combo of batts and blown in.

View attachment 63201 View attachment 63202

So what does' the roof sheathing look like. Dark black, brown or more red in color? Could be an answer up there.

 

[LarryBud]

Picture of the roof.

 

[Tughill Tom]

Picture of the roof. View attachment 63204

Are the soffit's ventilated at all? If not I'd add some to move heat and moisture out. Tuff to to tell from 1500 miles away and it's been 40 years since I last worked in CO.

 

[Russell King]

The vents may be in the gable ends of the house. If so then he needs to improve the ventilation system sometime. Post pictures of the gable ends.

Is there access to the attic inside the house? If not this may be that builder’s way to provide access?

 

[DustyRusty]

These were installed to service the heating or cooling units in the attic, should they need to be replaced. Sure beats having to cut a hole in the roof. From the picture, there appears to be a gas chimney on the roof, unless that is some type of power vent.

 

[Tughill Tom]

These were installed to service the heating or cooling units in the attic, should they need to be replaced. Sure beats having to cut a hole in the roof. From the picture, there appears to be a gas chimney on the roof, unless that is some type of power vent.

Thanks that's the part of the puzzle we didn't know, it makes sense now.

 

[LarryBud]

The soffits have no vents. The only roof vents are 4 12” square vents.

There is only one gable in the front. No vent

When I poked my head up to take a look in the attic, it was 130+ in there. I’m thinking a vent fan may be in order.

 

[DustyRusty]

The soffits have no vents. The only roof vents are 4 12” square vents.

There is only one gable in the front. No vent

When I poked my head up to take a look in the attic, it was 130+ in there. I’m thinking a vent fan may be in order. View attachment 63223

I don't mind helping you to spend money, so consider having the entire roof insulated from the underneath with spray foam insulation. I had mine done a few months ago, and the house stays a lot cooler, and the air conditioning doesn't come on that often any longer. I know that it will definitely save me money during the heating season.

 

[cliffboyer]

Given the low roof pitch, it would be difficult to actually climb into the attic. Plus, why so many access points to service the mechanicals?

My guess, the present soffit was installed at later time. Those access portals were an easy way to add insulation from the exteror.

Interesting they are located at window & door openings.

 

[Russell King]

So it sounds like there is no ventilation in the attic and that’s not a good thing.

I would suggest that he contact an energy conservation company to figure out how to best ventilate the attic or spray foam the roof deck and seal off the soffits and exhaust vents.

Exhaust fans may need to be routed to exterior wall or through the roof if spray foam route is taken.

 

[dlsmith]

It's interesting that they are all above a door or window.
Maybe the windows and doors were replaced at some point, and these were put in to facilitate installation?
Just a guess.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

The solid soffit material needs to be replaced with continuous vented soffit material (usually punched aluminum ! Most contractors alternate soild/vented but do the math. It takes a LOT of itty bitty holes to equal the square hole of a ridge vent ! Then over time 1/4 - 1/3 will get plugged by spiders and such. You need these 'inlet' vents to allow cooler air to be drawn in, under the sheathing to cool down the entire roof. Also be sure they install the channels and NOT block the vents with insulation. Every space between rafters/trusses needs to be done,again do the math... you need a LOT of area to pass a LOT of air to keep shingles from being destroyed.

 

[Tooljunkie]

There were awnings there at one time and thats how they closed it up after removing them. There should be no insulation in the soffits. Should go just above outside walls.
Im betting some or all the windows were changed, some larger ones installed.