Soffit Mystery

LarryBud

Active member

Equipment
L3130
Dec 5, 2020
241
126
43
Cleveland, MO
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?
BEFAE02B-C0CA-4F6B-9963-360EA4049316.jpeg
 

D2Cat

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
L305DT, B7100HST, TG1860, TG1860D, L4240
Mar 27, 2014
12,903
4,270
113
40 miles south of Kansas City
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

Active member

Equipment
L3130
Dec 5, 2020
241
126
43
Cleveland, MO
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

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Equipment
B3200
Dec 23, 2013
1,102
1,116
113
Turin, NY
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

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Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
4,607
977
113
Austin, Texas
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

Active member

Equipment
L3130
Dec 5, 2020
241
126
43
Cleveland, MO
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.

19DE2B3F-0B35-4824-9FB1-6F1EA6A2CE8A.jpeg
735698BB-C325-476C-9934-D282B01CB5E7.jpeg
 

Russell King

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Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
4,607
977
113
Austin, Texas
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

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Equipment
BX23S
Nov 8, 2015
4,956
3,695
113
North East CT
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

Well-known member

Equipment
B3200
Dec 23, 2013
1,102
1,116
113
Turin, NY
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

Active member

Equipment
L3130
Dec 5, 2020
241
126
43
Cleveland, MO
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.
F48B9A13-5063-421A-9778-4C0AFBEF4C91.jpeg
 

DustyRusty

Well-known member

Equipment
BX23S
Nov 8, 2015
4,956
3,695
113
North East CT
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

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Equipment
L3301 w/LA525 loader, G5200 mower w/RC48 deck, Kawasaki 610 Mule, DR mower
Nov 30, 2017
240
48
28
Southern IL
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

Well-known member

Equipment
L185F, Modern Ag Competitor 4’ shredder, Rhino tiller, rear dirt scoop
Jun 17, 2012
4,607
977
113
Austin, Texas
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

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Lifetime Member

Equipment
BX2230, LA211
Nov 15, 2018
1,191
698
113
Goshen, IN
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

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Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
9,681
3,938
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
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

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L1501,home built carry all, mini plow blade.
May 13, 2014
4,150
27
48
59
Lac Du Bonnet, Manitoba,Canada
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.