Attic and roof ventilation go hand in hand — your attic must be well-ventilated to preserve and extend the lifespan of your roofing system. Proper ventilation keeps hot and cold air moving through the space to avoid heat and moisture build-up on your upper floors, and eventually, your roof.
Excess heat upstairs can cause a host of problems with your roofing system, which is why your roof requires adequate attic ventilation to perform at its highest capacity.
How Does Attic Ventilation Work?
Adequate attic ventilation includes intake vents along the soffits that absorb cooler outdoor air and exhaust vents on the roof peak or ridge that expel warmer indoor air. This allows for a continual flow of fresh air throughout the attic, which, in turn, keeps your roofing system cool.
Reasons Your Roof Needs Proper Attic Ventilation
1. Prevents Condensation
Your home produces a lot of moisture from cooking, laundry, showers — and even breathing! The warm, damp air floats up to your home’s ceilings and eventually the attic.
When moisture comes in contact with a cold surface, like the underside of your roof, it will create condensation. Without proper ventilation to allow the warm air to escape your home, the condensation will eventually lead to mold, mildew, and rotting in your attic and, in severe cases, the underside of your roof.
2. Improves Efficiency
Heat trapped inside your attic can cause the rooms directly below it to get hot without adequate ventilation. Your A/C is forced to work overtime to keep these rooms at a comfortable temperature, causing your energy bills to spike — especially during the summer months.
If you want to keep every room of your home cool (including the attic), investing in proper attic ventilation is imperative.
3. Extends Lifespan
Poor ventilation is one of the quickest ways to shorten your roof’s lifespan.
As we mentioned earlier, trapped heat can lead to condensation, which can result in mold, mildew, and rotting. However, it can also cause more severe issues for your roofing system. In the summer, trapped heat can cause damage to the wood framing, rafters, and underlayment, which can cause structural problems or moisture damage to your home.
4. Prevents Ice Dams
Ice dams are common in the snowy climates found in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. However, while they may be charming, icicles and ice dams are actually a sign of poor attic ventilation, which can lead to premature roof deterioration.
Ice dams happen when warm air is trapped in your attic. This warm air heats the underside of your roof, melting the snow. As the melted snow runs down your roof, it refreezes on the home’s overhang, forming ice dams. This same process occurs repeatedly, leading to a giant ice dam on the edge of your roof that keeps warm water from escaping. As a result, standing water sits on your roof for days, leading to costly water leaks and roof damage.
The easiest way to prevent ice dams is with adequate attic ventilation. If there is a continual flow of cool air inside your attic, the warm air will not stay “trapped” long enough to melt the snow.
5. Protects Warranties
Most roofing systems come with manufacturer and workmanship warranties to help you protect your investment. However, if you don’t have proper attic ventilation, you may jeopardize your warranties.
If the cause of the roofing damage can be attributed to poor attic ventilation — like moisture damage, mold growth, or rotting — it is unlikely your warranty will cover the cost of repairs. If you want to protect your new roof investment, invest in proper attic ventilation while your roof is installed.
Invest in a Well-Ventilated Attic and New Roofing System from Remodeling Concepts
If you suspect your poorly ventilated attic has been causing irreversible damage to your roof, it may be time to invest in a brand-new, well-ventilated roofing system.
Remodeling Concepts is proud to install top-of-the-line roofing systems for homeowners in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southwestern New Jersey. With thousands of homes remodeled, we have a proven track record of delivering high-quality results and exceptional customer satisfaction.
Explore our residential roofing services to learn more about the options available when you invest in a new roof from Remodeling Concepts!
