Roof Attic Ventilation Problems

Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves allow cool air to enter the attic.

Roof attic ventilation problems.

Areas with hot summers and cold winters can suffer the effects of both. Hot air exhaust vents located at the peak of the roof allow hot air to escape. During the summer one of the most common problems roofing contractors deal with isn t shingles siding or gutters. Air flows in through the soffit vents and out through the roof vents.

More issues are caused by poor attic ventilation than all of these components combined. Insufficient ventilation can lead to moisture problems during the winter and decreased energy efficiency during the summer but too much ventilation can be just as bad if not worse. Improperly installed attic ventilation cannot address two important aspects of indoor comfort. Just like properly sizing your furnace and air conditioning unit you want precisely the right amount of attic ventilation for your home.

Without good ventilation moisture builds up in your attic which slowly eats away at the materials in your roof. For the best results place roof ventilation near the roof s peak and soffit vents in the eaves. Vents come in various styles. If you own an older home then there is a good chance that there isn t any roof ventilation.

Proper ventilation in your attic helps address excess heat and moisture that can otherwise wreak havoc on your home. This problem is an easy fix as you can close older vents that you do not need and create more soffit vents as needed. The perfect balance would be 50 intake with 50 outtake however often this is not followed through correctly. 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.

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. Just like with any other non motorized roof ventilation system there needs to be a balance of intake with an outtake. If you see dampness or frost you need better roof ventilation and some attic vents.