Have your Home Inspected for Roof Ventilation
Roof ventilation, which is technically attic ventilation, is a highly important element of roofing. Proper roof ventilation will increase the longevity of your roof.
Poor roof ventilation will vastly shorten the life of the materials. We see this scenario daily, roof systems failing far short of the material life expectancy. Had a very small investment been made when the roof was installed by adding proper attic ventilation, the roof would have lasted much longer.
Proper attic ventilation will extend the life of a roof, along with reducing problems as it helps balance, or minimize the temperature differential between the air in the attic and the air outside.
It’s a simple face: Proper roof ventilation will remove moisture and heat from the attic.
Problems Caused By Poor Roof Ventilation
Trapped moisture and heat can raise energy costs by putting a load on your AC. It can also cause ice dams, damage to roof system and structural components. Not to mention, trapped heat can damage personal items stored inside the attic where temperatures can easily reach extremely high temperatures.
Trapped moisture causes condensation. Condensation that forms inside an attic can come from use of tubs, showers, washing machines, clothes dryers dish washers, etc. In extreme cases condensation can be bad enough to be mistaken for a leaking roof.
Other Roof Ventilation Concerns
Deck Deflection: The deck of the roof can warp, deteriorate, becoming spongy (soft) and very dangerous to walk on. The adhesives used in the plywood can deteriorate or dry rot. This can happen over the course of several years. Extreme cases can develop this problem in as little as two years. This occurs because one side of plywood decking / sheeting needs be able to “breathe” by being exposed to circulating air. No circulation combined with condensation means that wood cannot “breathe.”
Rust: In humid regions water vapor condenses first on metal inside the attic; nails, plumbing straps, straps holding ductwork etc. Any uncoated metal will rust over time. This could cause the metal to deteriorate to the point of failure. Rusted straps on ductwork could break allowing it to fall on ceiling joists, or worse yet, through a suspended ceiling or drywall.
Mold, Mildew, Fungi: While the health concern regarding mold has yet to be medically proven, mold, mildew and fungi WILL cause dry rot. Dry rot does not remain in a localized area. It will spread and damage any lumber that is affected.
