While it’s probably not at the forefront of your mind, roof ventilation plays a crucial role in the functioning of your residential or commercial building. Any structure, whether it be a home, high-rise, or cottage, needs a roof with proper ventilation built in. Optimizing roof ventilation in the attic space of a building structure can prolong the lifespan of your roofing system, increase air flow throughout the space, and lessen the costs of heating and cooling. Our team at Taves Roofing is a company you can trust. We can ensure that your roof is working hard so that the rest of your building – and wallet – doesn’t have to.
How Does Roof Ventilation Work?
While cutting utility costs by letting excess air into your building seems counterintuitive, it’s integral to the proper heating and cooling of your building. As heated air naturally rises, attic ventilation primarily utilizes two types of vents:
- Intake Vents: these allow cool air to enter the attic space through the lowest part of the roof under the eaves.
- Hot Air Exhaust Vents: these allow hot air to escape as they’re located at the peak of the roof.
The most effective form of ventilation has both forms of vents working together. The intake vents are placed down the soffits with the exhaust vents placed on the peak of the roof. This system encourages continuous airflow throughout the space as the cooler air is drawn in through the soffits, and the warmer air migrates to the high points of the roof to be expelled at the roof’s peak.
Why Does Your Roofing System Need Proper Ventilation?
Sufficient air ventilation and insulation in your roofing system will cut down your energy bills. It’s very important to have a proper system in place to allow hot air to escape from your roof. If you don’t, toxic black mold can develop due to the excess moisture . This can cause an array of health and respiratory issues if not treated quickly and thoroughly.
Improper ventilation also leads to ice damming which occurs when there are warmer temperatures inside your attic space and colder climate outdoors. This contrast causes the snow outside to melt and freeze along the trough and roof. Not only does this increase moisture levels throughout the space, but you risk the moisture and ice finding its way underneath the roofing materials, causing lifting, peeling, and curling. Excess roof moisture can lead to structural damage and leaking; however, proper ventilation helps prevent this all together.
Checking for Proper Ventilation
It’s quite easy to spot the physical signs of poor ventilation. Here’s what you should look out for:
- Check the temperature of your attic space; it should typically be within a few degrees of the external temperatures.
- In hotter seasons, keep an eye out for mold as it tends to grow in warmer climates.
- Look for ice or dampness on the rafters of your attic in the colder months.
- Inspect the insulation in your attic; if it appears flattened down or excessively clumpy, those are further signs of unwelcome moisture.
- In the winter, keep an eye on the external trough surrounding your roof. A noticeable buildup of ice is a sign of poor ventilation.
- Increased utility bills can be a sign of damp insulation, rendering it ineffective.
- A wavy appearance to your roofline is a sign of moisture-induced warping.
- Water stains or dampness on your walls, floors, or ceiling could be a sign of a leak.
What If You Have a Poorly Ventilated Attic?
Call a roofing company right away to inspect the conditions. Addressing issues sooner rather than later is always ideal, especially when it comes to the structural integrity of your roof. When it comes to choosing a roofing company, our team at Taves Roofing are experienced to handle the job. We will provide professional repairs and installations to ensure that your residential or commercial building is properly ventilated.
Factors such as the architecture of your roof, the materials used, the climate of your area, and the quality of insulation will all affect your ventilation’s effectiveness. Ensure that you’re receiving professional advisement and execution with Taves Roofing. Contact us today for all Vancouver roofing services.