Your roof plays an important role in protecting your home from damage. If your roof is not ventilated properly, it can cause big problems for you and your wallet further down the road.
From preventing excess condensation and mold to increasing your home’s energy efficiency, here are 6 reasons you need proper roof ventilation.
It Increases Your Roof’s Lifespan
As a homeowner, you want your roof to last as long as possible. If your roof is not properly ventilated, hot air can get trapped in the attic, resulting in damage to the wooden frames and rafters from condensation and mold.
Check out the shingles on your roof. If you notice shingle damage, poor ventilation may be to blame. The shingles may become cracked or warped if your roof vents are not working, leaving your roof exposed to the elements and possible water leaks. Scheduling regular inspections on your roof to address any minor issues will help increase your roof’s lifespan.
It Prevents Excess Condensation, Mold, and Rot
As mentioned above, condensation and mold are two enemies you want to avoid. Damp air is created in your home any time you do laundry, take a shower, or cook. The moisture created has nowhere to go but up toward your ceiling and all the way to the attic if a proper vapor barrier is not in place. Once warm air reaches your cool roof, and it will become trapped if there isn’t any ventilation. Condensation can then form and eventually lead to mold and rot, which can be costly issues to fix.
It Increases Your Home’s Energy Efficiency
By allowing heat to escape through the roof, you can save on your home’s cooling costs. If your roof is properly ventilated, the hot air can escape and put less of a strain on your air conditioning unit, increasing your home’s energy efficiency.
Another option is to install a cool roof. This metal system is designed to create a higher solar reflectance compared to other roofs, and when paired with proper ventilation, it can increase your energy efficiency even more.
It Helps Regulate Your Indoor Temperature
Have you ever walked from your basement to the living room, then to the attic and felt the air get hotter at each level? Hot air does rise, but if you notice a drastic change in temperature, then you may need to check your ventilation system. In order to enjoy a regulated, comfortable temperature all year long, you need a well-working system in place that allows cool air to enter and hot air to escape.
It Puts Less Strain on Your A/C System
During the summer months, temperatures rise outside and also inside your home. If your attic is ventilated with intake and exhaust vents, these vents will create a flow of air through the attic, making it cooler by allowing hot air to exit your home. If your attic is cooler, your home will be too. By not keeping your A/C system at full blast all summer long, your A/C will be less strained, and your overall bill will be reduced.
It Prevents Ice Damming
If you experience cold temperatures with snow and ice where you live, there is the possibility of ice dams forming. As snow on your roof starts to melt, water travels down the slope of your roof toward the eaves. When your roof temperature is irregular because of improper ventilation, cool air underneath can cause the melted snow to refreeze and form layers of ice, which can trap water and put more strain on your roof.
With proper attic ventilation, you can prevent ice dams from forming. You will save your roof from water damage and save yourself from having to deal with a water leak inside your home.
Our Team Has The Answer
From preventing ice damming to regulating your home’s indoor temperature, proper roof ventilation plays an important role in protecting your home. If your roof is not ventilated properly, it can cause big problems for you and your wallet further down the road. By calling a professional residential and commercial roofer and scheduling routine roof maintenance, you can address any ventilation issues ahead of time and save yourself time and money over the years.
Legacy Restoration combines highly trained staff and handpicked products to ensure long-term value for your home improvement. Our trained roofers and remodelers deliver five-star roofing renovations, so you can increase the lifespan of your roof and enjoy decreased cooling costs for years to come. Call us or fill out our online form today for a free consultation and quote.