Tackling a roof replacement project takes into consideration many things, from choosing the best products and materials to determining the budget. These decisions matter a lot, but what lies under your roof shouldn’t be disregarded. How your attic and your roof “breathes” and takes advantage of natural convection can have a significant impact on the entire system’s lifespan and long-term health and performance.
In a nutshell, ventilating your roof helps lower its temperature, leaving the entire structure unaffected while preventing heat and moisture from building inside the attic. Here’s what you need to know about the importance of the roof and attic ventilation, as well as how it works.
How Roof and Attic Ventilation Works
A well-ventilated residential roofing system has a system of vents that works on the principle that heated air naturally rises. Intake vents, which are usually installed directly in the roof’s soffit, draw cool, fresh air into the attic. Warm, moist air from the attic exits through the highest points of the roof via exhaust vents. Gable vents, which are installed on the sides of homes near the roof, are hybrid types, which means they can function as both intake and exhaust vents depending on where the wind blows.
Even when there’s no wind, both of these vents work together to ensure continuous airflow and facilitate the exchange of warm and cool air. This ventilation system works regardless of the local climate and season and doesn’t need moving parts or have to consume energy. To ensure proper ventilation, roofing experts recommend about 1 square foot of net free-vent area per 300 square feet of space in an unfinished attic. Also, the roof should consist of 50% intake and 50% exhaust ventilation, with the latter positioned at least 91 centimeters higher than the former.
Why Is Ventilation Important for Your Roof and Attic
Balanced ventilation doesn’t just help keep your attic dry and cool. It also addresses heat and moisture issues that can cause significant damage to both your roof and your home. The lack of vents can easily lead to the buildup of these elements, causing predictable but different problems during hot and cold weather.
Heat buildup in the attic starts as the sun beats down on the roof surface. If unventilated, the roof may age prematurely in the form of warped or buckled shingles and damaged decking. The problem becomes worse if the attic has inadequate insulation. Heat can radiate down from the attic floor to your living spaces, causing discomfort. Your air conditioner will have to work twice as hard to keep the indoors cool, which can compromise the HVAC unit’s performance and cause a spike in your energy bills.
Moisture building in the attic, meanwhile, starts from inside your home. Whether you do laundry or take a shower, expect indoor humidity to increase and fill your living spaces. As it enters your cool attic, it turns into liquid where it meets colder surfaces through a process called condensation. Over time, moisture slowly eats away at the roof’s structural integrity by dampening the insulation and allowing mold and mildew to thrive inside the attic. If not addressed right away, you’ll eventually notice a musty smell inside your home. The spread of mold spores can also compromise your home’s indoor air quality, resulting in respiratory health problems.
What Are the Signs of Improper Roof and Attic Ventilation?
The lack of ventilation in your roofing system can cause a wide array of issues that manifest themselves in a variety of ways. Some are obvious, while others are subtle enough to be dismissed as caused by an entirely different problem. Here’s what you need to look out for:
- Rippled appearance to your shingles and roofline because of the moisture-damaged roof decking.
- Rust and corrosion on the metal components found in the attic such as light fixtures, electrical boxes, and nail heads.
- Signs of decay of the roofing system’s structural supports, such as damp insulation and water stains on the roof’s underside.
- A sudden spike in your heating and cooling bills, which could be a result of your attic insulation getting wet because of condensation and losing its effectiveness.
- Frequent breakdowns of heating and cooling systems that result in untimely and costly repairs, which may shorten the lifespan of the HVAC units.
Be sure to ensure safety if you decide to check some of these signs on your roof or attic. Instead of getting up your roof using a ladder, you can use a pair of binoculars to check the roof’s surface at a distance. Also, make sure the attic is well-lit when you get up there. Watch your step and wear the right protective equipment.
Dealing With a Poorly-Ventilated Roof and Attic
For a thorough roof inspection, it is wise to get in touch with a local roofing company. With their expertise and experience, they can determine whether your roof has enough ventilation as recommended by your local building codes. If, after the assessment, they find that more is needed, they can provide options to help improve roof ventilation and ensure its effectiveness.
For this, they have to take several factors into account. These include the local climate, the roof’s architecture, the age of the roofing material, the overall condition of the important roof components, and the attic floor’s level of insulation. They may, however, recommend repairs or replacement depending on their evaluation of the roof’s remaining lifespan and the extent of the damage to its decking, shingles, and other components.
In either case, the professional roofers will see to it that they properly ventilate the roof and the attic. Actions include adding ridge vents and installing continuous soffit vents along the eaves’ outer edges, as well as insulating the attic until the required R-values are met or exceeded. They’ll also make sure the insulation material doesn’t block the soffit vents. Otherwise, cool, fresh air can’t be drawn to the attic.
ImproveIT! of Atlanta provides full roofing services in the local area. With more than 40 years of combined experience in residential roofing, we provide expert evaluations and can help you find the roofing solution best suited to your needs and budget. When you call us for your repair or replacement, you can rest assured that our expertly trained roofers will go the extra mile to make sure the job is done right the first time.
Call us today at (770) 525-8836 or fill out our contact form to request a free estimate. We serve homeowners in Sandy Springs, Marietta and Alpharetta, GA.
