Proper roof ventilation is an essential part of every home. Roof ventilation controls in-coming and outgoing air, expels moisture, and maintains a balanced temperature.
Roof ventilation affects everything, from your energy bills to your health and even how often you need roof repairs. That’s why it’s critical for experts to check your roof ventilation system annually.
Below, we detail five reasons why roof ventilation is important. But first, let’s answer a few common questions.
What Is Roof Ventilation?
Roof ventilation types vary from home to home. Generally, these systems consist of vents, fans, and ducts. This is true for both metal building roof ventilation and flat roof ventilation.
How Does Roof Ventilation Work?
When working properly, the parts of a roof ventilation system work together to balance air flow in your home.
Vents draw air, smoke, and other particles out of the home. Roof vents also draw air into the attic to help balance a home’s temperature and moisture levels. While fans circulate air and help pull air into outtake vents, ducts carry air to different areas of your home.
Why Does a Roof Need Ventilation?
The right roofing ventilation system balances these factors, so that not too much hot or cold air is trapped in the home. Poor ventilation often leads to trapped moisture, mold and mildew, and high energy costs as your heating and cooling system works harder to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Signs of Poor Roof Ventilation
A roof with bad ventilation has obvious signs. Talk to a roofing expert if you notice these signs of poor roof ventilation.
• Uneven temperatures in your home
• Mold or mildew
• Condensation in your attic
• Moisture in the air, or stuffiness
• Unusually high energy bills in the winter or summer
• Odors that are hard to eliminate
Need your roof ventilation system inspected?
Contact StaDry Roofing today for your FREE consultation!
Five Reasons Why Roof Ventilation Is Important
You may wonder, “is roof ventilation necessary?” The answer is absolutely. Below are five reasons why proper roof ventilation is important for your home and your health.
1. Lowers Energy Costs
Roof ventilation problems are usually the culprit behind unusually high energy bills in both summer and winter. If your home’s roof ventilation doesn’t properly direct warm air out of the house, your HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) unit must work in overdrive to maintain a cool temperature. Naturally, this leads to higher electricity bills.
On the contrast, a well-ventilated home maintains the right balance of warm and cool air, leading to an overall reduction in energy consumption (and lower bills).
2. Prevents Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew growth is often due to a poor exhaust system and faulty outtake vents. In cold weather, warm air moves upward and forms condensation. This moisture buildup then becomes a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
A good ventilation system will direct warm air out of the house and help maintain an environment that’s not susceptible to mold and mildew growth.
3. Increases Roof Life
You may not immediately make the connection between your home’s ventilation and roof problems, but the two are closely connected. One primary problem of poor ventilation is ice dams in winter, or an accumulation of freezing water on a roof’s edge.
Ice dams occur when warm air in an attic (due to poor ventilation) melts ice on a roof. The melted ice then refreezes and puts pressure on the roof. Ice dams can lead to roof damage, leaks, and even roof collapse!
One way to prevent costly roof repairs is by ensuring your roof’s ventilation system is up to par.
4. Improves Indoor Air Quality
Ever walked into a home and the air felt stuffy? This was probably due to poor ventilation and moisture accumulation. Excess moisture can lead to mold and mildew, which can make the air inside your home feel stale.
Smoke, odors, and particles from cooking can also build up in your home if the air isn’t properly ventilated.
5. Ensures Comfort
When you think of a comfortable, airy home, you may not think of roof ventilation. But good ventilation maintains the right temperature, expels pollutants and odors, and ensures every part of your house gets fresh air. Proper, maintained roof ventilation leads to a more comfortable, tolerable environment.
