Tips on how to protect the roof's vents

It's true that your roof's ventilation system is probably not something you think about very often. It's not likely to break in the first place, at least until it happens.

However, it actually plays an essential role in the everyday life of your house. A proper quantity of airflow in your attic can be beneficial to the longevity of your roof system as well as the comfort and wellbeing of your family, cost for future home repairs, and how much you have to pay for cooling and heating. There is a myriad of advantages to something that is normally just an added benefit!

Let's focus our attention on ventilation, how it functions and why it is important, and how to best care for the ventilation system.

How Attic Ventilation Work

The most efficient ventilation for an attic that isn't finished typically has intake vents that are low down with the soffits. exhaust vents high up on the top of the roof ridge. This ensures the continuous flow of air through the attic. The cooler outside air is pulled in through the vents in the soffit, and the humid and warm air that reaches the highest point (hot air rises, cool air falls) escapes through the vents on the roof ridge. This results in continuous circulation that is crucial for a variety of reasons.

The Reasons Roof Ventilation Is Important

Properly ventilating your attic can help to disperse the excess moisture and heat which can otherwise cause havoc to your home. In cold or hot climates the buildup of moisture and heat could cause issues. A region with cold winters or hot summers, like most Canadian homeowners, could suffer from both.

If it's scorching hot outside, the sun's heat pounding down the roof can raise the temperature in the attic. The heat from the sun can cause damage to the roofing sheathing, distort the shingles and age them prematurely. The floor of the attic must also be considered. If it's not insulated and evenly distributed, heat can penetrate into living spaces, making it more expensive and difficult to maintain comfort. Your AC will be working double-time to keep up. This will be evident in your monthly energy bills.

The deck's bottom is heated by warm air coming from the living space below when temperatures fall to below freezing during winter. As the deck heats up, the top layer of snow that has accumulated on the roof begins to melt, which causes water to flow down the roof. As the runoff reaches the cold outer edge, it freezes and forms ice. When this happens repeatedly the ice dam will form along the eaves, blocking the exit of any further runoff. The water eventually has no locations to go, so it returns under the shingles.

Let's talk about the H-word that is humidity. Humidity that comes from outside of the living area enters your attic. It will condense into the water when it is touched by colder surfaces. In time, that moisture may cause the deterioration of the roof's structure as well as interior structural components, or even destroy the attic insulation. The condensation in the attic could lead to mold and mildew growth. This puts additional strain on your cooling system. Your wallet suffers...again.

The Signs Of Poor Ventilation

Poor attic ventilation can cause issues that manifest in different ways.

Unknown increase in your home's cost of cooling and heating which could be the result of attic insulation getting wet and starting to lose its effectiveness.

You'll see a buildup of ice on the roof's edge during the winter months.

The deformation of decking damaged by moisture beneath can cause a wavy or curving roofline and a rippled roof shingle.

The attic is susceptible to rust and corrosion, which includes lighting fixtures, electrical cabinets, nail heads, and electrical boxes.

Water stains, dampness, or frost may be seen on the roof sheathing's attic side.

A rise in the frequency of allergy symptoms or respiratory illness within your family, typically linked to the spread of mold growth in your attic.

What to Do

The attic must be assessed and certified commercial roofing Mississauga contractor if you notice any indications of danger. They can advise you on what options exist to improve ventilation and make sure it's effective.

If you have any questions or doubts about the ventilation setup you have in place, No Payne Roofing can assist you. Our roofers are licensed and certified to assess your ventilation needs and get the project done swiftly and efficiently, so your home can get the air circulation it requires. Contact us today to discuss your requirements and learn more about how we can assist you.

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Cadillac Roofing
Etobicoke, ON M9V 2P7, Toronto, Canada
(647) 877-3144