Why Should You Vent your Attic?
Proper Ventilation of your attic has multiple benefits for your home and your health of your family. Building codes have required that ventilation be installed in every region of the United States.
Proper Ventilation:
Will Help extend the life of your roof shingles by keeping the roof cooler in hot weather.
Will Help reduce cooling costs by allowing the heated air to circulate out of the attic.
Will Help prevent moisture build-up and the growth of mold and mildew that can affect your family's health and rot the framing which can cause expensive damage.
Will Help in the winter to prevent ice damming. In freezing temps during the day, the attic is often warmer than the outside air. Snow will melt in the higher areas of the roof where the heat accumulates in the attic and refreezes when it cools off by the eaves.
How does proper ventilation help your attic to breathe?
We need to breath to get fresh air in and out. For the same reasons your attic needs to breath as well. Most homes have a passive venting system which requires a balance between the intakes and outlets. Intakes and outlets are placed strategically to allow the greatest amout of circulation. As hot air rise, intake vents placed at lower points in the attic with outlets higher up. As the hot air escapes throught the outlets vents, it creates a minor vacuum that draws in fresh air through the lower intake vents.
Powered vents can also be used. These vents use electric powered fans to force air throught the vents.
Determining how much venting you need?
The size and placement of vents depends on the roof configuration and the size of the attic. Placement of attic vents should be determined by the size and shape of the attic area as well. Care should be taken to verify that the vent locations will vent all attic areas. If sheathing or fire stopping blocks off an area of the attic, additional vents may be recommended.
How do you know if you are having venting problems?
A through inspection of your attic space should be done to determine if you are having any problems that can attribute to poor venting.
Check for frost on the underside of the roof or on the rafters. This is caused by warm moist air that has been trapped and condensened subsequently freezing on the wood.
1. Look for water-stained or blackened wood, signs of mildew, mold, or rot.
2. Check for rusted nails or other metals. This is also a sign of condensation.
3. Is there any matted down insulation? This could be a sign of a roof leak from ice damming or other damage to your roof.
What are the best solutions for creating a well ventilated attic?
Make sure that your shingle manufacture's guidelines and building codes are followed for proper attic vent design layout. This will reduce the amount of condensation and excess heat that can build-up leading to a longer life of your roof and sheathing. Also proper ventilation will help remove the excess heat in the winter reducing the chances or forming ice dam which can backup in your attic causing water damage, mold, and rot.
Midwest Roofing Services can Help
Midwest Roofing Services has been in the business of installing and repairing roofs for 55 years throughout the Midwest. Ventilation is a part of the roof installation process and if your suspect that you are having ventilation problems give us a call. We will inspect your attic, roof and ventilation sustem and determine what needs to be done to make your home safer and healthier.
Midwest Roofing Services Going Green One Step at a Time!