Yep, that’s perfectly plausible. You’re saying that there’s only wire mesh in the soffits — not actual metal soffit vents? That would be the first thing I’d fix. The louvers on the soffit vents make it much harder for rain to blow up and into the attic structure.

Why is water coming out of my soffits?

Gutter Problems





A gutter that is clogged with organic debris such as leaves, or that is damaged so that water does not flow down the gutters as intended, can lead to water leaking through the house’s soffit.

Can soffit get wet?

If the soffit gets wet repeatedly, it can lead to wood rot. Left unchecked, the moisture turns into insidious mold, which can further infect the wood components of your home’s structure. Wetness can also result from: Shingles that are damaged and dripping water onto the soffit.

How effective are soffit vents?

When properly combined with other roof ventilation devices, soffit vents allow fresh air to enter into an attic creating air flow. They also reduce energy consumption and prolong the lifespan of the roof, A/C unit and building structural components.

How often should you have soffit vents?

Most professionals recommend one square foot of ventilation for every 150 square feet of attic area. This will help you determine how many soffit vents you need. For example, a 15′ x 40′ attic would have a total area of 600 square feet; divided by 150 equals 4 square feet of total ventilated space needed.

How do I stop the rain from blowing in my attic vents?





Deflectors. Place a deflector over the opening of the vent to keep rain from blowing through the opening. Deflectors are available in many sizes, configurations and colors to match your existing vent cover. Select a vent cover made of stainless steel for outdoor use.

Can rain get in ridge vents?

Ridge vents prevent moisture problems by letting warm air out, but wind-blown rain can enter if the vents are damaged.

Can you have too much soffit ventilation?

The two main dangers associated with too much ventilation involve roof damage and increased utility bills. If you have too much air circulating, your roof will collect moisture causing damages that will weaken spots and then cause leaking.

Should soffit be vented?

While soffit comes in wood and aluminum, they are most commonly made of vinyl for durability. Soffit can be non-vented or vented to allow for maximum roof ventilation. Non-vented or continuous soffit works best when your roof has narrow eaves or if you need to ventilate a large amount of attic space.

How many soffit vents should a house have?



If you’re installing soffits on your roof, you’ll need anywhere from 6 to 28 soffits total, depending on the size of your attic vent space. Your soffits’ spacing is important, and careful planning should be done before making any changes to your current ventilation system.

Where should soffit vents be placed?

Ideally, half the vents should be located in the soffit at the bottom of the roof and half in gable or ridge vents near the top to allow for natural circulation of air through the attic.

Which direction should soffit vents face?

It’s best to install soffit vents with the open part of the louver facing in toward the house to keep windblown debris out of the attic and prevent water from coming in when the eaves are cleaned with a garden hose or pressure washer.

How much does it cost to install soffit vents?



between $315 and $465

Cost to Install Soffit Vents
Installation typically costs a homeowner between $315 and $465. Traditional units range in price from $3.30 to $4.50 per linear foot. Continuous soffit models are single units that run the length of your eaves and average $8 to $10 per linear foot.

Do you need air vents in soffits?

Soffit vents are required to cool the attic space and help circulate air from outside. The general rule of thumb for the amount of soffit ventilation required is to have at least one square foot of ventilation for every 150 square feet of attic space.

Will a ridge vent work without soffit vents?

Ridge vents can work without soffit vents, however, this won’t be very energy efficient. Without soffit vents, the ridge vents will draw air from some other inlet on the roof like a gable, but this will limit the extent of air circulation in the attic.

How do you install soffit vents?



How to Install Soffit Vents

  1. Step 1: Make Two Parallel Lines. …
  2. Step 2: Cut Parallel Lines. …
  3. Step 3: Connect the Two Cuts. …
  4. Step 4: Raise the Vent up to the Soffit. …
  5. Step 5: Attach the Vent to the Soffit. …
  6. Step 6: Remove Any Insulation From the New Vent. …
  7. Step 7: Install the Ventilation Baffle.

How do soffit vents work?

A soffit vent is a device that is installed underneath the eaves of a roof that allows for fresh air to get into the roof. These vents are visible on the underside of the eaves. They create a continuous flow of fresh air throughout the roof and attic, which protects against moisture.