Attic Ventilation

Proper attic ventilation is important for the following reason:

1) To Prevent Moisture Build up which can cause mildew or mold and it can also cause wood rot!

2) To prevent the attic from over heating, in the summer.
An improperly ventilated attic can cause heat to build in excess of 150°F.
This can cause your roof to overheat, which will then cause your roofing  shingles to overheat and age pre-maturely

Types of damage that can result include:

· Premature aging of your roofing system (“fried” shingles)
· Warping, cracking, or breaking down of wood framing
· Damage to siding, exterior or interior paint, and wallpaper
· Higher energy costs
· Ice Damming-(See side menu for further explanation)

A properly ventilated attic can help reduce the load on your air conditioner by moving the superheated air out of your attic before it builds up and causes damage.

In the winter, various household appliances, bathtubs, showers, and cooking vapors can contribute to excess moisture build-up. Improperly ventilated attics will allow this moisture to collect and cling to the underside of the roof. There, it will condense and fall, soaking the attic insulation and reducing its efficiency

Additional structural damage includes:

  • Roof deck warping and rotting of the wood frame.
  • Mildew growth.
  • Buckling of shingles and felt.

Finally, attics should be properly ventilated to help prevent ice dams in cold northern climates. During the winter, ice and snow on a roof will melt and run down the deck to the cooler eaves. This run-off can re-freeze, creating an ice dam that will trap moisture on the roof. The moisture can eventually back up under the shingles and enter your home — causing hundreds or thousands of dollars of damage to your ceilings and walls. Adequate attic ventilation will reduce the amount of initial melting that occurs on your roof, thereby reducing the chance that ice dams will form.