Roof replacement and attic air sealing: coordinate the sequence

Map the attic boundary and roof penetrations

List attic access points, recessed lights, bath and kitchen exhausts, plumbing and electrical penetrations, chimneys, ducts and visible gaps. DOE identifies common air-leak locations, but the appropriate treatment depends on the assembly and combustion-safety conditions.

Record which components cross the ceiling air boundary and which pass through the roof. Do not seal, block or reroute a vent simply because it looks like a gap.

Assign the roofing and air-sealing responsibilities

Ask the roofing proposal to identify decking repairs, roof penetrations, intake and exhaust ventilation and the condition left for follow-on work. Ask the energy or insulation scope to identify air-sealing locations, access needs and items it will not alter.

Name who reviews conflicts before materials cover them. A roofing crew should not be assumed to design attic air sealing, and an insulation crew should not be assumed to change a roof ventilation design.

Set the inspection and work sequence

Schedule any needed assessment before tear-off, then identify which observations are possible only when decking or attic areas are exposed. Coordinate repairs, air sealing, ventilation components and insulation so completed work is not immediately disturbed.

Include weather protection and a stop point if hidden damage, unsafe wiring, moisture or combustion concerns appear. New information should trigger a documented scope decision rather than an informal field substitution.

Verify the completed boundaries

At closeout, record roof penetrations, ventilation components, sealed locations, insulation changes and any area that remained inaccessible. Save product information and photographs before access is closed.

Watch for changed comfort, moisture, odor or equipment behavior and use the appropriate professional if conditions differ after the project. Completion of one scope does not prove the entire roof-attic system performs as intended.

Related guides

• Roof and attic ventilation: questions before changing the system
• Roof replacement and solar: coordinate the scopes before either crew starts
• Before the crew arrives: make a roof-project access plan