Your house is one of the largest investments you will make and keeping it in great condition will ensure your investment doesn’t depreciate. You can upgrade the interior with nice flooring and quality appliances. Good windows and a well-maintained exterior support the value of your home. Topping your family’s dwelling place is the roof, which is one of the priciest parts of your home to repair or replace.
So, why is roof ventilation important for your home?
Your house needs to breathe, to be able to respond to seasons and temperature changes. The roof ventilation system is key to airflow, and without this feature, you may experience mold and poor air quality. Your roof may crack and leak, leading to costly repair or replacement costs.
Roof ventilation is something that you do not notice but is essential for proper maintenance. Like wearing sunscreen at the beach, you do not realize the protection ventilation provides when it is correctly applied but suffer when it is not in place.
So, what is Roof Ventilation?
Attic or roof vents are openings that allow hot air to escape. Wind turbines blow fresh air in to promote healthy air circulation and help your home adapt to changes in climate. There are a variety of styles of vents that can be part of your roof, and how many you need depends on the size of your home.
Eave vents, box vents, and ridge vents are all possibilities for your home. Roof vent caps or covers help protect your roof vent in various weather conditions.
The building codes in your area should include requirements for roof ventilation. If they are not specific, plan for a vent for every 300 square feet of roofing. Following these codes will help your roof last a long and healthy lifetime.
So, What Does Ventilation Do?
You may think that having small openings on your roof will let in moisture, but it is the opposite. The vents are designed to let trapped air rise from throughout your home, into your attic, and finally outside. This way there is no issue with condensation and the problems that come with it.
There are ventilation systems you may need, depending on your attic and the size of your home, that involve a ventilation fan to promote greater air circulation. There are various ways to control when and how these fans operate to not increase electricity usage. Because every home can be a little different, a system for proper air circulation should be customized according to each house.
Related Questions
What Happens to Roofs Without Ventilation?
A roof that has no, or improper ventilation will experience damage to its shingles from extreme temperatures and moisture build-up from lack of air movement. The moisture can lead to mold and poor air quality.
Ice dams forming on your shingles can compromise their integrity and shorten the life of your roof. A roof without vents is like baking a pie in your oven with a dough covering and no slits to let the steam out.
What are Signs of Blocked Roof Vents?
If you see leaks, peeling paint, or insulation that is damaged, then you could have a blockage in your roof vents. Other signs include temperature fluctuations in your house and damage to your shingles. If you walk into your attic and the air is hot and moist, then you should have your vents examined. There could be debris or a small animal that has blocked it.
Summary
Sometimes an ounce of prevention comes in the form of a few feet of protection. By choosing the right type of ventilation for your roof, you are preventing damage and protecting a critical part of your major investment. Roof vents will keep your home safe and healthy for you and your loved ones to enjoy in comfort.
Get a Roof Inspection
The roofing contractors at Excel Home improvement in Romulus know what it means to have a sound roof. Our experienced team strives to make sure all aspects of the home are secure, especially the roof. We offer roof inspections to identify any issues and provide options for a solution that best fits your needs and budget. Is a roof replacement in store or can a roof repair solve the problem?
Our home improvement services focus on all things exterior which means we can help you with gutter installation and maintenance as well as siding repair and installation. Call us for a Free Estimate on your home improvement project!