Baffles in Attic

1

Hello All,
Taking the courses. I remember putting soffit to attic baffles for vent flow when I worked construction. If I don’t see them do I make a recommendation for them to be installed? Looking over our house inspection report under Ventilation he checked off Roof, Soffit and left the Baffles box blank, but did not make any recommendation.
Thanks.

2

New guy here…good question. I am not trying to answer, because I’m not the expert yet. But my thought is that baffles are only needed when insulation must be piled so high that it would touch the underside of roof sheathing. As long as there is 1" clearance between insulation and roof, then no baffles required. Hope someone can verify.

3

Your judgement, but I recommend adding them if soffit vents are in place, and if I see insulation restricting air flow when inspecting the attic.

Yesterday’s inspection: no baffles in a fiberglass batt insulated attic and space was visible between the insulation and the roof sheathing. When I turned the flashlight off, I could see light and space for air flow. No evidence of past ice dam issues when I was on the roof, so I didn’t call out missing baffles.

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4

Pull out your HI Standards of Inspection and show us exactly why you should/should not put that in your report.

Is there something going on that you “Observe” associated with missing baffles?
Not using baffles is NOT a defect. Damage (that you can take a picture of) is. If there is a lack of ventilation, baffles would be a recommendation.

recommendation for them to be installed?

Again, the Standards states you do not have to determine the cause or remediation of a defect, so look for that in the standards.

If you want a recommendation in your report, record what is happening now, no what might be a problem in the future. That is your job description.

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5

Thanks for your expertise.

6

Thanks David.

7

The question has been answered. But if you put on your inspector hat, the first question should be, “What is the purpose of the baffle, and what are the consequences of not having baffles?”

Inspecting is much more than a series of gotcha moments, it’s the hows and whys that make a good inspector. At least in my opinion.

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8

Thanks Brian.

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