Vents on a metal shingled roof.

Top 10 Reasons Why Proper Ventilation Is Important

Trapped heat in the attic is the underlying cause of many roofing issues and having a foolproof ventilation system is probably the best way to get rid of this problem. Though you may need to invest in some additional components like ridge vents and soffit venting to achieve optimum ventilation performance, let us assure you – the results would be nothing less than miraculous. You’ll be able to considerably improve the energy efficiency of your home while extending the lifespan of your roofing shingles.

Attic ventilation is a critical component of any roofing system. Proper attic ventilation goes a long way in eliminating common roofing problems. It does so by minimizing the temperature difference between the outdoors and the attic area. This is a natural way to get rid of heat and moisture in the attic. Otherwise, the trapped heat and moisture can lead to a dramatic increase in your electricity expenses. Moreover, it can result in ice dams and cause structural damage to your roofing system.

High temperatures can also deteriorate your personal belongings placed inside your attic, such as washing machines, bathtubs, tumble dryers, showers, and dishwashers, to name a few. In extreme cases, the condensation can be so severe that it starts looking like a roof leak.

Let’s look at some of the problems caused by inefficient ventilation in the attic space.

1. In absence of proper ventilation, deck deflection can occur after a few years. If you have a plywood roof deck, poor ventilation can deteriorate or warp it sooner than you realize. As a result, it can become spongy and become a threat to the people living in the house. This usually happens because proper ventilation is crucial for plywood decking. For this reason, one end of the decking is deliberately left exposed to air so that it can “breathe”.

2. Without proper air circulation, plywood adhesives can get damaged or dry rot can occur because of excessive condensation.

3. Condensation is particularly bad for metal items placed in your attic space. The condensation usually occurs on metal items before anything else, causing them to undergo rusting faster than expected.

4. Metal components such as metal straps and nails can rust and cause the ducting to fall on the ceiling joints – a common roofing issue in the humid climate.

5. In extremely cold climates – where the temperature is generally 0°C (32 °F) – high humidity levels inside the attic space, along with the low temperature outside, can form frost under your roof deck.

6. Trapped moisture in the insulation can adversely affect its R-Value, making it a breeding ground for fungi, spores, and mold.

7. There’s another serious consequence of poor ventilation – mildew. Not only can mildew cause damage to your roof, it can also result in several health-related issues among the people living in the household.

8. If not fixed in time, it can result in expensive, large scale repairs and even cause premature roof failure.

9. Since, in homes with poor ventilation and insulation, cooling units are used extensively, homeowners may need to replace or repair these expensive systems much before their actual service life.

10. Ice dams are formed when the melted snow keeps re-freezing continuously on the edges of the roof. The melted snow then accumulates beneath the shingles. If neglected, it can lead to roof leaks and other serious roofing issues. The best way to avoid ice dams is to create a foolproof Cold Roof Assembly – consisting of heavy insulation, proper ventilation, and a leak-proof air barrier.

Get the Best Attic Insulation for Your Home

When it comes to attic vents, there’s a huge variety available in the market nowadays. You can choose from static vents, ridge vents, power vents, gable vents, cupola vents, starter vents, and turbine vents, to name a few. Call Watkins Construction & Roofing today for more guidance on ventilation systems and to choose the best one for your needs, get in touch with our experts today.

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