5 Ways Poor Roof Ventilation Causes Problems

The roof ventilation is one of the most important aspects of any installation. Having excellent roof ventilation ensures that the airflow of your home is being expelled correctly, cuts on heating and cooling costs and keeps the integrity of your roof working correctly. Here, we outline 5 of the signs of poor attic ventilation and what signs to look out as well as what you can do about it.

Attics in most homes are not climate-controlled, therefore, proper roof ventilation is essential in keeping the proper air flow exiting as it should be. As we know, hot air rises and cool air drops. Cool air makes its way in from your home’s intake vents and converts into hot air over time and starts to rise. If the warm air cannot escape due to not having any ventilation or the ridge vents/box vents were not installed properly then this warm air turn to heat and will start to build up in the attic. This excess moisture cannot stay in your attic! Over time, it can lead to damages, such as moldy roofs, sagging structures and weakened wood.

In some cases, the temperature can reach up to 150* if left untreated. This concentrated heat, when left untreated, will damage your roof and cause the materials to start rotting. This can then lead to storm water coming in during rainstorms.

Since the attic is something we don’t check very often, by the time we find there is damage, it could be too late. Over time, the condensation can affect the structure of your roof, specifically, the plywood and interior of the roof. You might notice that there are areas of your roof that start to sag or bow out, this is a sign that there is damage. Contact a roofing company and have them inspect your home if you suspect your roof is starting to sag.

If left untreated for too long, rainwater or snow can start to nest in certain areas and a leak will begin.

If you are having roof ventilation issues or even intake vents issues, then its probable that hot air is not escaping your house as it should. In fact, its building up in your attic spaces and causing humidity to form and spread. You do not want excess moisture around your home. Leaving this unattended for a long time will create the perfect environment for mold conditions and roof rot. Mold and mildew are dangerous to our health and being exposed for a long time can cause damage to our lungs. If you suspect there is mold and mildew present, contact a general contractor and mold removal specialist right away.

Depending on the materials used on your roof, poor attic ventilation might cause some components to rust. For example, there are metal parts that connect the roof decking to the shingles and hold the underlayment in its place. These can start to rust if there is little to no hot air flowing out properly. Furthermore, the rust will weaken the foundation of your roof and cause it to crumble.

Heavy rain fall or sleet during the winter months accumulate on your roof’s shingles, when your house does not have proper ventilation, the inside heat causes this ice to melt. The melted ice then compacts on the shingles of your roof and form ice dams. Once these ice dams get large and heavy enough, they will damage the plywood underneath the roof and can lead to leaks. If you see snow accumulating for a long period of time on your roof, keep an eye on it or look inside your home for any early signs of leaks.

With proper attic ventilation, ice dams should not be forming at all. So if you see ice dams forming, then you know there is a problem at hand. Its best to have an inspection done right away, so that the ice dam can be removed and does not form again during the winter months.

Exhaust vents are used in homes to help the warm air escape from your home. There are many type of exhaust vents, such as box vents, wind turbines, ridge vent, attic vents and more. Depending on the house style and budget, you can get one or a team of exhaust vents to help with ventilation. For example, ridge vents are installed at the top of your roof, right underneath the shingles.

Every part of your home has a job to do, roof ventilation is a collection of materials that work together to let your roof breathe. When your system is working properly, your home benefits. Other benefits include:

• Extends the life of your roof – Keeping your roof properly functioning increases the chances of your roof living through its full lifespan and getting the most out of it.
• Electricity costs are lessened, increasing energy efficiency – Your air conditioner or heater won’t have to work as hard if the hot air is flowing out properly.
• Less indoor temperature fluctuations – Homeowners with have two story homes might notice that when they head upstairs, the temperature changes drastically from warm to cool. Well, if there’s a sharp change in temperature, that’s not normal. Proper ventilation should make the transitions less noticeable.
• Your living space has constant fresh air circulating – Fresh air is great for our lungs and our bodies. Additionally, it helps if there’s people with asthma or other health issues in the house.

While a hot and stuffy attic is unpleasant, it can also become a serious problem. Take note of excessive heat, moisture, or mold and mildew forming around your home’s roof. If the problem persists, then its best to call a local roofing professional who can further assist and assess the problem at hand. Your home needs proper roof ventilation in order to function as it should.

Oscar Roofing is here to be that roofing company you can count on! Since 2003, we have been one of the most reliable roofing companies around. Call us to receive more information, set up your inspection appointment and get the proper roof ventilation your home deserves.