How to Close an Attic Vent During the Winter

Attic ventilation is vitally important. Even in the cold months of winter, warm, moist air can accumulate in your attic and cause mildew growth or condensation on the inside of the roof, which can lead to other types of water damage. However, too much ventilation in the winter can cause heat loss, so you can close some of your attic vents to prevent this. You need about 1 square foot of attic ventilation for every 300 square feet of ceiling space in your attic.

Things You'll Need

• Staples
• Plastic tarp
• Scissors

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Close the vent shut on gable vents, if you have those in your attic. The vent will have a little lever on one side that allows you to slide it shut. If your attic has windows for ventilation purposes you can close those too.

   • 2

     Cut out a piece of plastic tarp 3 inches wider and longer than your attic vents, if your vents don’t have a lever to close them.

   • 3

     Staple the tarp over the vents to block them off during the winter. Only do this if your attic has too much ventilation in the winter and will cause heat loss in your home.