Do the rooms in your home reflect the different seasons of the year? In your attic you have constant summertime and, in the basement, is it perpetual winter?
If you don’t have a consistent temperature throughout your home, you may have problems with your ventilation. Significant changes in temperature from room to room are one of many signs of improper roof ventilation in your home.
A roofing contractor can help determine if and how your roof is a problem by completing an inspection.
So, what are the signs that your roof is not ventilated properly?
Most signs of poor ventilation have to do with water. Condensation, ice dams, mildew, and roof leaks could indicate that air isn’t flowing properly in your home. Other signs include pests, HVAC problems, sagging roofs, and missing shingles.
These signs could also mean you have problems with your roof, but checking out your ventilation system is a good place to start. It would help if you also had it checked out when heating and cooling repairs are done to ensure the air is circulating properly.
So, What is Roof Ventilation?
Your home is not as stagnant as you may think. There is air moving continuously all around and inside your house. Roof ventilation is the system of intake and exhaust vents that help keep this stream of hot or cold air moving.
This system is an integral part of a healthy home and a properly maintained roof. You can see vents when you look at any roof, although there are different types. Some exhaust vents are placed at the top peak of the roof, so you don’t notice them. There are natural vents that don’t use anything to help circulate the air, and there are turbine and solar vents that use the sun or electrical energy to power fans that increase airflow.
So, Why is it Necessary?
Trapped moisture in your home is a recipe for mold, mildew, leaks, and pests. A properly vented home keeps air flowing which reduces the trapped moisture. This is the only system in your home designed to do this, and this function is vital to a mold-free house.
Proper ventilation is also necessary to keep your house the temperature you want. It moves the warm air out in the summer and brings fresh air through the attic all year long.
Bugs and other pests are attracted to warm, moist areas, and if you don’t keep your roof ventilation system maintained, they may decide to move in.
So, How is it Effective?
Proper roof ventilation includes an intake vent toward the bottom of the roof through which fresh air passes. It then joins the air already in the attic and flows out the exhaust vent that is either on top or very close to the top of the roof. Some exhaust systems work with fans that are linked to a humidistat, which is triggered by changing humidity levels.
This consistent airflow helps regulate the temperature in your home by preventing hot air from being trapped. It inhibits the growth of mold and mildew because airflow keeps moisture from building up.
Related Questions
So, What Happens if You Have Too Much Ventilation?
Too much ventilation can disrupt the natural flow of air in your attic and lead to the very problems this system is made to prevent. Too much moisture may get in by too many openings in your roof.
So, How Can You Fix Poor Ventilation?
Poor ventilation can be fixed by professionals who inspect the current system and install or repair vents to give your home the proper balance of airflow. They can explain what options are best for your house and get it healthy again.
Roofing Services and Home Improvement Near You
If your home is showing signs of improper roof ventilation, don’t wait to have it inspected. Ask the professionals at Excel Home Improvement in Romulus to look at your system now, because if you wait, you risk the health of your roof and your family.
Our home improvement and roofing services are sought after and trusted throughout the area. We strive to make every home safe and efficient with our siding installation, gutter systems, roofing services and more.