Smell seeping in from attic

exrcoupe wrote: ↑ The bigger issue is why is the attic drawing IN outside air vs venting it outwards?

Attics draw air in through soffits, the bbq smoke must be flowing up that wall into the soffit. Its odd the smoky air is being drawn down through the attic hatch, even if the hatch isn't well sealed.

exrcoupe wrote: ↑ But yeah, you should get the attic hatch sealed as well, can't imagine the amount of cooling and heating loss from the attic hatch if you can smell your neighbour's bbq.

It doesn't help that we're in a detached and their BBQ grill is at least 5 metres away from our house. Now that you mention it, it does take awhile to cool down the house when we turn the AC on and it rarely stops running.

Zamboni wrote: ↑ Attics draw air in through soffits, the bbq smoke must be flowing up that wall into the soffit. Its odd the smoky air is being drawn down through the attic hatch, even if the hatch isn't well sealed.

Yeah, that is very odd. There's no visible gaps around the attic hatch and there is weatherstripping done though it may be getting old.

Sounds like the home is under negative pressure. Common during summer when A/C is cranking and the air handler is sucking in air. Humidity plays a role here too. Things you can probably do to help this:

-open a window somewhere a crack to allow makeup air
-keep any fans (bathroom, stove hood) on low
-seal your attic hatch properly, which will make the makeup air be drawn in from another location. Path of least resistance