Roofing ventilation may not be the most noticeable part of a standard residential roofing system, but it is nevertheless just as important: insufficient ventilation can cause a number of roofing problems. In today’s post, Roofer Chicks® discusses the signs that your roof needs better ventilation.
How Roofing Ventilation Works
Warm and humid air that comes from your indoor living spaces naturally rises. In a typical home structure, it ultimately ends up in the attic. A properly-built roof should have properly-sized vents at the ridges. The same upward motion releases warm air through these vents, while the resulting negative pressure will then pull cool and fresh air through intake vents at the soffit, resulting in passive ventilation. Exhaust fans can also be installed on large roofs.
The Effects of Improper Ventilation
Trapped heat and moisture in the attic can cause damage to roofing structural components and insulation. If you’re using the attic for storage, they will likely be damaged as well. Finished attics can be very uncomfortable. If you notice one or more of the following signs, your roof is not getting enough ventilation.
High Energy Bills — Trapped heat can radiate back into your living areas. This usually happens when the attic floor lacks ventilation. When this happens, your air conditioning system increases output to make up for the temperature difference, which can raise your energy bills.
Attic Rain — Condensation in the attic can cause a phenomenon called “attic rain,” which causes signs of a roof leak but during a clear day.
Clumping Attic Insulation — Certain types of insulating material tend to form clumps and blobs when in direct contact with moisture. While insulation can be reapplied, addressing insufficient insulation is the ideal long-term solution.
Can Improper Roofing Ventilation be Fixed?
The solution to improper ventilation is to have your roofing contractor inspect your roof’s ridge and soffit vents. Sometimes airflow can get blocked by leaves and debris in the vents. Often it’s because the vents don’t match the roof size, which may result from changes made to the roof after the ridges were installed, or if an inexperienced roofer installs the wrong vent size at the time of installation. Whatever the cause may be, a capable roofer can fix it without tearing down your existing roof.
Roofer Chicks® is your leading provider of roof repair and installation services. Give us a call at (830) 627-7663. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in New Braunfels, TX, and surrounding communities.