If a roof has a full-length ridge vent at its peak plus vents in the gables and soffits, is an exhaust fan necessary? Most attics can be ventilated without powered fans if a ridge vent and soffit vents are present. Combined with the common gable vents, these vents will provide excellent protection against heat buildup, attic condensation and mildew. 
An attic with an insulated floor and vapor barrier should have open vent space equal to 1/300 of the attic floor area. "Open" refers to space not taken up by metal louvers or other barriers in the vent. It’s best to add a few extra square feet of vents. 
The vapor barrier – an impermeable material, such as craft paper, foil or plastic sheeting – should be placed under the insulation of the attic floor, facing the living area. If no vapor barrier is present, the calculation for open space should be doubled. 
A homeowner should make sure that the floor of the attic is well-insulated without blocking free air movement through any of the soffit vents. The insulation will reduce heat loss from the living area in the winter and will eliminate any radiator effect to the living area caused by attic-heat build-up. 
How can a homeowner tell if he has sufficient vent space in his attic? Check the attic in the winter. If signs of moisture condensation are present, an improvement of ventilation is called for. Frost on the points of roofing nails and wet insulation are both indicators of moisture condensation.

replace the broken ones. Larger leaks need to be addressed by a professional or a very handy homeowner. For proper drainage, gutters should be pitched about 1/16 inch per running foot. This is not an easy measurement to make. Homeowners should pour a bucket of water at the opposite end of the down-spout and watch the water flow out. The gutter should be adjusted if puddles occur. Renail hangers higher or lower on the roof with galvanized or aluminum nails, or bend straps with pliers to adjust the pitch. If he is using gutter spikes that cannot be removed, the homeowner should cut through the nail at the end of the ferrule inside the gutter with a hacksaw. Then install new spikes, adjusting for pitch. Flooding problems start when a down-spout doesn’t empty properly. Rainwater accumulates, forming pools around shrubbery and may even leak into the basement. To solve problems of this type, the homeowner should use a concrete or fiberglass splash block. Extensions should be considered if the problem is particularly severe.

 The Perfect House?

Since the perfect home has yet to be built, potential homeowners should look to their home inspection report for guidance in evaluating the risks of home purchase. Most homes need work – and compromise. However, a homeowner should keep in mind what can be changed – and what cannot. For example, if a certain location is desired, the homeowner would be smart to buy a house there, even if it needs repair. It’s easier to repair a home in an area than to move a perfect home to the area.