Roof Attic Ventilation Problems

If you own an older home then there is a good chance that there isn t any roof ventilation.

Roof attic ventilation problems.

Heat and moisture buildup in an attic cause predictable but different problems in hot and cold climates. Air flows in through the soffit vents and out through the roof vents. Proper ventilation in your attic helps address excess heat and moisture that can otherwise wreak havoc on your home. During the summer one of the most common problems roofing contractors deal with isn t shingles siding or gutters.

Without good ventilation moisture builds up in your attic which slowly eats away at the materials in your roof. Vents come in various styles. While there are other factors that could be causing your roof to deteriorate like poor installation in most cases when a roof is prematurely aging it will be poor attic ventilation that is at the heart of the issue. The reason this does not create an issue is that these houses aren t as air tight as the modern structures are which means they have adequate air movement despite the lack of any vents.

Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves allow cool air to enter the attic. The perfect balance would be 50 intake with 50 outtake however often this is not followed through correctly. This problem is an easy fix as you can close older vents that you do not need and create more soffit vents as needed. Just like with any other non motorized roof ventilation system there needs to be a balance of intake with an outtake.

The problem is this water refreezes as soon as it reaches the roof s edges hence the formation of ice and snow around the roof s edges. When you have proper roof ventilation in place you re allowing the hot air to escape before it melts the snow and ice on the roof preventing ice dams from forming on its edges. Hot air exhaust vents located at the peak of the roof allow hot air to escape. Just like properly sizing your furnace and air conditioning unit you want precisely the right amount of attic ventilation for your home.

More issues are caused by poor attic ventilation than all of these components combined. Areas with hot summers and cold winters can suffer the effects of both. If you see dampness or frost you need better roof ventilation and some attic vents.