Ventilation ensures proper airflow across the roof. It is imperative to ensure adequate ventilation for the roof as it reduces energy costs, extends the roof life, and keeps the home interior cool. Until the mid-20th century, there was not much understanding of the need for roof ventilation. Only when organizations like ASHVE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers recognized that poor roof ventilation caused roof damage due to condensation that the concept started gaining importance.
Why ventilation is vital for the roof
Attics usually remain well insulated, increasing energy efficiency and reducing utility bills, but in the process, it leads to residual heat loss. If the attic space does not have proper ventilation, the hot air will remain trapped under the roof and lad to moisture build-up due to condensation that encourages mold growth and create a health hazard. In cold places, poor ventilation forms ice dams on the roof if the attic space becomes warmer than the outside temperature. When the ice dams melt, it freezes again along the trough and even forms ice on the roof. The increased load of ice can damage the roof.
How to tell if your roof needs improved ventilation
Having the attic well ventilated is essential. To know if the ventilation is proper, you must measure the inside temperature under the roof that should be within a few degrees of the outside temperature. If the temperature differences it too much, it should not escape your attention. During the winter months, if you find that the rafters are covered with frost or damp, it signifies a roof ventilation problem. If ice buildup or forming icicles bother you, improve the ventilation to get rid of the problem.
The moist environment encourages mold growth, which can aggravate due to poor ventilation that increases the moisture in the air during summer. Look for signs of mold growth in the attic that point to poor ventilation and call for New Covenant Construction & Roofing Fort Worth to correct the situation.
What is proper roof ventilation?
Measuring the temperature differential between the outside and under the roof in the attic is one way to detect ventilation problems. But it is crucial to know hat it means by proper ventilation. By the thumb rule, for every 150 square feet of attic space, there must be I square foot of attic ventilation. The number of intake and exhaust vents through which the air circulates should also be equal. The intake vents should be placed near the soffit or any other place at the lowest edge of the roof, and the closer the exhaust vents are to the roof peaks, the better it is. While the best-case scenario demands a perfect balance in the number of intake and exhaust vents if it is not possible, at least ensure that the number of intake vents should be higher.
There is a direct link between attic insulation and attic ventilation, and there must be a right balance between the two. Poor attic insulation will only worsen the ventilation problems.