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 New Jersey
home inspection NJ home
inspectors perform
Certified New Jersey home
inspections in NJ.
FOUNDATION VENTS:
Similar to attic vents above, ventilation is
necessary under the structure to maintain a
"healthy" atmosphere and environment
for the structure. Foundation vents are
usually required at the rate of one square foot
of opening for each 150 square feet of floor
space. Mechanical methods of ventilation are
also acceptable under some circumstances.
Openings should be as close to corners as
practical and should provide good cross
ventilation. Foundation vents should be equally
distributed along at least two opposite sides of
the structure and be covered with corrosion
resistant wire mesh with mesh openings of at
least 1/4 inch. If ground water and moisture are
not a problem and a vapor barrier is installed
over the under floor ground area, it may be
allowable to have ten percent less ventilation
area. The inspector cannot determine the exact
required dimensions of the vents or size of the
under floor area. An inspectors' determinations
are based on his/her past experiences and the
visual conditions under the structure. Turbine
attic vent. Vents should always have
screens installed over them to prevent animals
and/or debris from entering the attic. Vents
should also be built in such a fashion as to
prevent water from blowing in. Some Turbine
vents may allow water to enter if the wind blows
just right. Covering turbine vents during the
winter may be in order. Some gable end vents can
be opened to allow access into the attic. Soffit
vents: Soffit vents are screened openings placed
in an exterior soffit to allow air to enter the
attic area and hopefully exit through other
higher-up vents. The soffit is usually at eave
line and could be considered a "closed
eave". Often these vents are covered over
with attic insulation allowing no air movement.
This insulation must be removed to allow air
movement. Ridge vents: Ridge vents are raised,
screened vents, which are installed at the ridge
of the building, or peak of the roof, and are so
placed to allow hot air from the attic to
escape. Ridge vents sometimes can leak in
blowing rain storms but are among the best vent
systems available because of their locations.
Loose foundation vents such as this may allow
vermin under the structure
ATTIC VENTILATION:
The above information was provided by TWI Systems Copyright 1995-2005 1-800-553-5660 |
