The Importance of Attic Ventilation

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When was the last time you paused long enough think about roof and attic ventilation? If you said “never,” you’re not alone. Because your attic is out of sight, it is most often also out of mind. Yet it plays a key role in your family’s comfort and well-being, the lifespan of your roofing system, and your heating and cooling costs.

Read on to learn about the importance of attic ventilation, how to know if yours is lacking, and what to do about it.

Attic Ventilation Explained

In the typical unfinished attic, the ventilation system includes intake vents down along the soffits and exhaust vents up near the peak of the roof ridge, allowing for a continuous airflow throughout the space. Cooler air is drawn in through soffit vents while warm, humid air exits through roof ridge vents.

Why Is It Important?

Proper attic ventilation helps keep heat and moisture levels in check. Otherwise, they can build up and wreak havoc on your home. When it’s hot out and the sun is beating down on your roof, the temperature in the attic increases. The excess heat can warp sheathing and prematurely age roof shingles. If insulation is also lacking, that excess heat radiates down into your living space, making it more difficult and costly to cool your home.

During winter months, warm air from your heated living spaces escapes into the attic to the underside of the roof deck. As it warms, accumulated snow on the roof begins to melt. Once the water run-off reaches the cold outer edge, it refreezes. If this scenario plays out repeatedly, an ice dam can form along the eaves and thus prevent further water run-off from escaping. With no where to go, the water backs up underneath the shingles where it can cause substantial damage.

Furthermore, when humidity enters, a cool attic condenses the excess moisture as it meets colder surfaces. That excess moisture can deteriorate the roof system, ruin attic insulation, and damage structural elements. It also provides the ideal environment for mold and mildew growth.

Signs of Improper Ventilation

A variety of both subtle and obvious problems can result from improper or inadequate ventilation.

• Unexplained spike in household heating and cooling costs
• More frequent HVAC repairs
• Noticeable build-up of ice along roof edge
• Rippled or wavy appearance of roofline and shingles
• Corrosion and rust on metal materials and objects in the attic
• Dampness, water stains, or frost on attic side of roof sheathing
• Increase in allergy symptoms or respiratory illness

If you notice any of the warning signs above or have other concerns about your home’s attic ventilation, have it inspected by a certified roofing contractor who can assess the situation and advise you on the best course of action to improve ventilation. If your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan or the decking is deteriorated or damaged, repair or replacement may be recommended in addition to the following:

• Installing continuous soffit vents along the outer edge of eaves
• Adding one or more ridge vents
• Adding insulation
• Sealing the attic floor to make it airtight
• Allowing one to two inches of air space between insulation and roof sheathing.

Who knew so much was going on year-round between your roof line and attic flooring? Well, we did. More than that, our experience in roof installation, repair and maintenance makes us ideally suited to help keep your roof in the best possible shape. Is it time for a roof inspection of your own? Then contact Zaman Roofing today and put your home in the hands of one of CT’s leading roofing contractors.