Proper attic ventilation is an important consideration when building a new roof. While its primary function doesn’t sound like much – it vents excess heat and moisture out of the attic – it nevertheless prevents major problems, such as ice dams and increased indoor humidity.
Your local roofers, Napolitano Roofing, shares an overview of the importance of proper attic ventilation.
Balanced Ventilation
A balanced ventilation system allows proper air intake along the eaves, soffits or fascia, and exhaust at the roof ridge area. Note that your goal is efficient circulation by allowing fresh air to enter the attic area and stale air to exit. It shouldn’t allow too much ventilation as it would make the roof vulnerable to blowouts during a storm, but it shouldn’t too little either, as too much heat would build up and cause damage to the trusses and roof deck.
Another consequence of heat buildup is that the heat could radiate into your indoor living spaces and cause an unwanted increase in your indoor cooling requirements. Moisture could build up in the attic as well, increasing indoor humidity and damaging exposed wood parts and insulation, which could incur unplanned roof maintenance and repair expenses.
Ice Dams
A worrisome effect of unvented heat in the attic is the formation of ice dams. What happens is that the heat in the attic raises the temperature of the roof above freezing and melts the ice on the roof, which then refreezes as it reaches the roof’s edge, forming a dam. As the season gets warmer and it eventually melts, the water flows through the shingle layers instead of into the gutters and into the attic space. The excess moisture can cause the same damage as a leaking roof. A properly-ventilated attic would allow cold air to keep the roof temperature low enough to prevent melting the snow outside.
Our team at Napolitano Roofing has the know-how and experience to make sure your attic is getting the right amount of ventilation. If you would like to know more about our roofing and siding services, call us today at (860) 265-4001, or fill out our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation quote. We serve many areas in and near East Hartford and Vernon, CT.