Your home, just like people, needs to breathe. Air movement into and out of your house is a crucial function that can easily be overlooked. This movement of air in your home is called ventilation. When done correctly, a sound ventilation system allows cool and hot air to move around each other to prevent a buildup or escape of heat from your home. There are different types of vents in your home, each with a different but similar function.
You may be familiar with vents that you use regularly. The bathroom vent you should turn on during showers or the hood vent you turn on when the house fills with smoke from your latest “creation” is both examples of ventilation. They use an electric fan to suck moist or smoky air into a fan and direct it outside your home.
Most people are not familiar with roof vents as they are not something you use regularly. You may not even know they are there or not there unless you begin experiencing an issue. How can you tell if you have enough ventilation happening on your roof? Here is a review of proper ventilation and the areas that may cause problems.
Building science tells us that venting is vital for your home
There are homes located in a wide variety of climates throughout the world. In warmer climates, the primary purpose of roofing ventilation is to allow hot air to escape and keep the home cooler. In colder clients, like Omaha-area exteriors, you want the roof to be cooler to prevent snow from melting too quickly and creating ice dams. Architects and builders must consider proper ventilation design during the design phase. If it is not done correctly, your home could lack energy efficiency, or structural damage could occur.
What happens if the roof isn’t vented well?
Your energy bills may be higher
Poor ventilation of your home decreases your energy efficiency and could lead to major structural issues. No one wants to pay more to heat or cool their homes. Investing in adequate roofing ventilation could decrease your heating and cooling costs significantly. Installing good roofing vents or attic fans can push hot air out during the warmer summer months, lowering your cooling costs.
Mold, mildew, and rot could impact your home’s structural integrity
When something does not have adequate airflow, condensation can quickly build up. When materials such as insulation and wood are continuously exposed to condensation, they can develop problems. Wood constantly exposed to moisture may begin to rot and weaken the overall strength of your roofing materials. Wet insulation can begin to mildew, and mold may even grow after long periods of exposure.
Shingles, gutters, and other roofing materials may be damaged
Excessive heat on your roof could cause certain types of shingles, such as asphalt, to become damaged. When any damage occurs to the shingle, it leaves the base roofing materials exposed to the elements. Ice jams could become so large that they cause the gutters from your home to fall off. When the gutters are missing, water is not appropriately directed away from your home.
How do I know if my home has good ventilation?
Look up to inspect your roof
In some instances, you may see vents under the eaves of your home or on the roof. The vents have many different designs, so you may need to look closely to see if they are in place. You may have a low-profile ridge vent that runs across the top of your home. There may also be very visible vents at the top of your home where the attic space is located. If you don’t see these, you may want to contact an Omaha exterior company to evaluate your current ventilation system.
Check your gutters during winter
Winter months are an ideal time for you to identify problems with ventilation. If you notice major ice building up along your home’s eaves and gutters, your attic likely needs proper airflow.
Brave the attic stairs
For some, an attic is a scary place and not frequently visited. Braving the attic is almost a necessity when deciding if you have adequate ventilation in your home. When entering the attic, you will know almost immediately if you have good airflow. If the attic space is super warm, that indicates that warm air is leaving your living space and entering the attic. It is then stuck in the attic causing the roof to heat up, ultimately leading to ice dams and shingle damage.
How do I fix ventilation problems?
The best way to ensure you have the best ventilation solution is to call an Omaha exterior company with experts in designing and installing a solution for you. Homewise Roofing & Exteriors can complete an evaluation and get you started with a plan. Contact us to schedule a review of your current ventilation system.
