Roof Attic Ventilation Problems

More issues are caused by poor attic ventilation than all of these components combined.

Roof attic ventilation problems.

Without good ventilation moisture builds up in your attic which slowly eats away at the materials in your roof. Just like with any other non motorized roof ventilation system there needs to be a balance of intake with an outtake. Just like properly sizing your furnace and air conditioning unit you want precisely the right amount of attic ventilation for your home. The perfect balance would be 50 intake with 50 outtake however often this is not followed through correctly.

Insufficient ventilation can lead to moisture problems during the winter and decreased energy efficiency during the summer but too much ventilation can be just as bad if not worse. If you see dampness or frost you need better roof ventilation and some attic vents. The problem is this water refreezes as soon as it reaches the roof s edges hence the formation of ice and snow around the roof s edges. Areas with hot summers and cold winters can suffer the effects of both.

Heat and moisture buildup in an attic cause predictable but different problems in hot and cold climates. This problem is an easy fix as you can close older vents that you do not need and create more soffit vents as needed. Hot air exhaust vents located at the peak of the roof allow hot air to escape. Vents come in various styles.

Improperly installed attic ventilation cannot address two important aspects of indoor comfort. When you have proper roof ventilation in place you re allowing the hot air to escape before it melts the snow and ice on the roof preventing ice dams from forming on its edges. During the summer one of the most common problems roofing contractors deal with isn t shingles siding or gutters. For the best results place roof ventilation near the roof s peak and soffit vents in the eaves.

If you own an older home then there is a good chance that there isn t any roof ventilation. The reason this does not create an issue is that these houses aren t as air tight as the modern structures are which means they have adequate air movement despite the lack of any vents. Air flows in through the soffit vents and out through the roof vents.