Snow Getting in Pole Barn Ridge?

[bagsanthony]

In heavy snowfall and especially heavy wind, a snow dusting will get into the ridge area of the roof where the two pieces of metal roof meet. You can definitely see daylight… there is no soffit ventilation for the building its 1990s construction… I was going to spray this cavity with Great Stuff Big Gap Filler… Attached are pics for reference. Let me know if there are any better ideas

 

[mikedodge]

Filling it defeats the purpose of being a vent.
Once it's spring check what it looks like from the outside. Mine was getting some snow blown in during strong winds, it was coming in from the gaps along the ridges of the metal roof so I sealed where the ridge meets the roof with foam tape. The ridge vent itself has holes on the underside of it for air.

 

[Danno1]

.

I've used RidgeMaster Plus from MidAmerica Components on houses with good luck. Very rare for wind blown snow to make it through the baffles.

.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

There are special foam strips contoured to the shape of the metal panels that are supposed to be installed before the ridge cap goes on. With time, the adhesive on them gives up and they will disappear. I have had the ridge cap removed on both my shop and barn to have these foam strips re-installed. Don't know the name of the strips and can't provide a picture, but a trip to a store that sells the metal panels will probably fill in the gap.

 

[dfiler2]

The amount of moisture shown would not amount to any damage, IMO. You will probably see more from condensation and thats not always bad, i have seen lots of damage done to buildings that have been sealed tight.

 

[TurnipTruck]

My house and shop both have steel roofs with Scotchbright-looking ridge vent closures. I still find piles of wind blown snow inside the attic atop the insulation, especially with this monthlong windstorm of 30mph+ with gusts to 80.

 

[bagsanthony]

My house and shop both have steel roofs with Scotchbright-looking ridge vent closures. I still find piles of wind blown snow inside the attic atop the insulation, especially with this monthlong windstorm of 30mph+ with gusts to 80.

I agree. I’ve lived in Western NY my entire life and with about 100+ inches of snow annually and the wind…. I think it is somewhat inevitable…. My thought was to put Roxul insulation in the center section where I see some of the dusting as it is moisture resistant.... my primary concern is preventing the insulation from becoming ineffective.

 

[jives]

In snowy windstorms, like the 30-40 mph gusts happening right now, I will get similar invasions of snow in my pole barn garage, mostly from updrafts through the soffit vents. I am not worried. There is no evidence of pooling water, rot, etc.

 

[bagsanthony]

In snowy windstorms, like the 30-40 mph gusts happening right now, I will get similar invasions of snow in my pole barn garage, mostly from updrafts through the soffit vents. I am not worried. There is no evidence of pooling water, rot, etc.there

In snowy windstorms, like the 30-40 mph gusts happening right now, I will get similar invasions of snow in my pole barn garage, mostly from updrafts through the soffit vents. I am not worried. There is no evidence of pooling water, rot, etc.

Yeah I can see it now…. We had 79 MPH winds in Buffalo, Ny yesterday… I am just East of there… I was a little worried at first but it is what it is

 

[finn]

I bought a couple of rolls of what looks like a plastic, loosely woven vent stuffing from Menards, although everyone sells it. I don’t remember what it’s called, but the closest brand I can find is the Pagoda brand on Amazon, although mine seems to be thicker, maybe 3/4”. It’s supposed to be installed under the ridge cap.

I cut it into sections equal to the truss spacing and stuffed it into the gap Under the cap, from inside the attic. Easy install, and seems effective, ie it seems to eliminate most of the wind driven snow in the storage truss area ( upstairs storage /attic area) and I no longer get dried / chopped / shredded leaves up there In the fall

 

[4x4Pete]

I had this happen after 20+ years in a unheated/unfinished equipment shed. I would find snow all over the equipment. I noticed some plastic card type blockers getting blown out of the ridge. Since it has gable end vents and eaves vents, I hit it with spray foam, no more problems.

 

[mikedodge]

There are special foam strips contoured to the shape of the metal panels that are supposed to be installed before the ridge cap goes on. With time, the adhesive on them gives up and they will disappear. I have had the ridge cap removed on both my shop and barn to have these foam strips re-installed. Don't know the name of the strips and can't provide a picture, but a trip to a store that sells the metal panels will probably fill in the gap.

I've never seen that stuff, what I ended up getting after reading some pole barn sites was foam tape made for that sort of use that expands to something like 1/2" and easily compresses. Seems like either one accomplishes the same thing.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

I've never seen that stuff, what I ended up getting after reading some pole barn sites was foam tape made for that sort of use that expands to something like 1/2" and easily compresses. Seems like either one accomplishes the same thing.

On the barn tin I have on the roof, the difference in height between the valleys and the peaks is greater than 1/2". The material I speak of is about 1.5 to 2" wide and has adhesive on one side and a dimension that results in some compression when the ridge cap is installed. If I remember right, it comes in about 4' lengths. The advantage of this material is that it allows air to flow through but does a good job of blocking snow and debris.

 

[bagsanthony]

The amount of moisture shown would not amount to any damage, IMO. You will probably see more from condensation and thats not always bad, i have seen lots of damage done to buildings that have been sealed tight.

Thanks. I'm only concerned because of the small dust of snow getting onto the insulation.

 

[bagsanthony]

I bought a couple of rolls of what looks like a plastic, loosely woven vent stuffing from Menards, although everyone sells it. I don’t remember what it’s called, but the closest brand I can find is the Pagoda brand on Amazon, although mine seems to be thicker, maybe 3/4”. It’s supposed to be installed under the ridge cap.

I cut it into sections equal to the truss spacing and stuffed it into the gap Under the cap, from inside the attic. Easy install, and seems effective, ie it seems to eliminate most of the wind driven snow in the storage truss area ( upstairs storage /attic area) and I no longer get dried / chopped / shredded leaves up there In the fall

Sounds like a nice practical solution and what I had in mind (only better) It looks like its a breathable material, hence you still allow airflow. I was originally thinking window screen but this looks much better. That was my main concern on how to maintain airflow. I have heard some guys stuff in pipe insulation which would defeat the purpose of airflow… so this is what you’re referring to? I also found what looks to be a little more stout unit from Home Depot. It says its 3/4” thick (Python Brand). I’m leaning towards this and to stuff it into the cavity like you mentioned

 

[finn]

Sounds like a nice practical solution and what I had in mind (only better) It looks like its a breathable material, hence you still allow airflow. I was originally thinking window screen but this looks much better. That was my main concern on how to maintain airflow. I have heard some guys stuff in pipe insulation which would defeat the purpose of airflow… so this is what you’re referring to? I also found what looks to be a little more stout unit from Home Depot. It says its 3/4” thick (Python Brand). I’m leaning towards this and to stuff it into the cavity like you mentioned

That’s it, or close.

I think I used snips to cut it.

My garage is 54’ long, so I used most of two rolls

 

[bagsanthony]

That’s it, or close.

I think I used snips to cut it.

My garage is 54’ long, so I used most of two rolls

Appreciate your help

 

[finn]

Appreciate your help

It’s not going to 100% stop fine, dry, wind driven snow. I put mine up over a couple of year (ran out of material and time at first), but I was up there retrieving things after a weather event when I was about half done. The difference between the completed and unaddressed portions of the attic was dramatic.

It did completely eliminate the windblown leaf shards.