Proper attic ventilation will save you energy and prevent problems. Fall is the perfect time to inspect your attic ventilation and get everything in order for the winter. That way, you can have peace of mind through the cold months that your house is protecting you and your family.
Attic Ventilation Facts
- Proper attic ventilation is critical in controlling moisture/heat buildup in an attic space.
- Prevent winter roofing issues such as ice dams and structural damage due to pooling water and ice build up.
- During the summer, adequate ventilation helps prevent heat from building up inside the home in top floors and your attic, where warm air tends to collect and stagnate.
- In the winter, attic ventilation helps prevent excessive indoor moisture and humidity, helping guard against potential problems like mildew and mold.
PRO TIP: Many shingle manufacturers require proper attic ventilation in order for warranties to uphold. So it’s especially important to perform a thorough check at least once a year and always before any roof upgrades.
Don’t worry, Weather Vane roofing can perform these checks and work with many companies’ warranty programs, so we can take care of all of that for you.
Fall Roofing Maintenance Attic Ventilation Checklist
Professional home inspectors and roofing experts use the following checklist when evaluating a home’s attic ventilation system. At last, you can use the same protocol to keep your roof tip-top. Give us a call if you need help.
General Maintenance
Check the following things every year for general maintenance. For more information please read Fixing Vent Pipe Problems.
Evidence of moisture. Check for warped or degraded wooden framing. Check for signs of moisture penetration like cracked or chipped paint, stains, and evidence of condensation, mildew, and/or mold. This is especially important with cathedral or really high ceilings. These things are a sign that the ventilation system isn’t performing the way it should.
Are the vents free of obstructions? Over time, leaves, dirt, and other debris can clog vents. As you can imagine, this limits their effectiveness or can even prevent vents from working at all. If you’ve had any roof work done be sure vents were not painted over or eliminated.
Venting Systems
Check for the following issues with your overall venting system. If you find any of the problems or suspect you may have them, contact a roofing specialist – like Weather Vane Roofing to help you structurally change and improve these issues. This may seem like a daunting task, but it will save you time and money, and a possible roofing disaster in the future.
Design of the venting system. Exhaust vents, located near roof ridges, and the intake vents near the soffits need to be balanced one-for-one. Many homes have inadequate intake venting, so you will need to add continuous intake vents.
Properly sized vent holes? It isn’t enough to simply balance the number of vents; they also need to have holes that facilitate adequate airflow relative to the size of the space being ventilated.
Insulation baffles. Baffles prevent soffit vents from getting blocked off, which essentially makes them useless. inoperable.
One System. There are various attic ventilation systems, including gable louvers, power vents, and others. These systems can’t be mixed and matched in a single home; all vents should use a single system to ensure operational viability.
Code standards. Consult the International Building Code for specifics on how to calculate the standards to achieve specific airflow rates.
Have Your Attic Ventilation Checked
If you’re unsure whether or not you have adequate attic ventilation, consult a professional roofing contractor. A small investment today can save you thousands of dollars down the road in unnecessary repairs, not to mention hours of inconvenience. We know what we are talking about – we see this every day.
About Weather Vane Roofing
We provide roofing, siding, insulation, windows, and gutters. Making your house beautiful and efficient is our main goal. We use the latest in technology and products to provide eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions for your home and business. With locations in Lansing, Owosso, and Brighton/Howell we are Mid-Michigan’s roofing experts. Let us transform your house into a home.
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