Sure, there have been times when you drive through the neighborhood and look at the roofs of homes, or you simply look at the roof of your own home. You will notice an array of vents, chimneys, and other pipes protruding from its surface. Each of these types of vents plays a critical role when it comes to ensuring proper ventilation.
The truth is that roofs need to breathe. Any problem with the roof ventilation system can have a severe impact on the overall structure. This makes a critically important to ensure that the ventilation system on your roof is in good working order.
What Is Roof Ventilation?
Every roofed structure in the Champaign, IL, area has a ventilation system on it. Roof ventilation, which is also referred to as attic ventilation, is a critical system that is installed on the roof to allow air that enters the attic to circulate and exit.
The ventilation system is composed of both intake vents and exhaust vents. These vents are strategically spread out across the roof in order to maximize airflow through the space. Roof ventilation it is extremely important when it comes to keeping your home warm during the winter and cool during the summer.
Intake vents enable airflow into the attic space. It also provides a protective layer to ensure that nature’s elements do not enter into the structure. After the air enters the attic, it is pulled out through exhaust vents.
When it comes to installing efficient vents in the roof, ridge vents are one of the most common options selected for horizontal peaks. Ridge vents tend to extend across the length of the roof, ensuring adequate airflow. This type of vent provides for consistent distribution of roof ventilation when it is paired with the correct intake vents placed around the underside edge of your roof.
Why Is Roof Ventilation Important?
Proper roof ventilation is critically important when it comes to prolonging the life of your roof. Ventilation systems are able to help prevent the early deterioration of shingles on your roof. It can also help to eliminate moisture buildup.
When moisture builds up inside the roof, It can lead to an array of problems. This includes wet insulation, mold and mildew growth, poor air quality, and even wood rot. Lacking an adequate ventilation system can create a very dangerous living situation for you and your family. In addition, there are several other ways that a proper ventilation system can help.
Preventing Any Ice Dams From Occurring
When a ventilation system is installed properly on your roof, the roof is less prone to experiencing freezing and thawing during the winter months and in the early spring. When the space is not properly ventilated, it can result in ice dams building up, which can threaten the overall health of your roof. Ice dams can push water under your shingles, ultimately leading to severe damage to the underlayment and even the roof deck.
Cut Back on the Cost of Cooling Your Home
Having an adequate ventilation system on your roof can help to ensure that there is a steady airflow through the attic. Steady airflow through the attic and out of your home can help reduce extreme temperatures in your attic during the warm summer months. Your ventilation system functions by removing the warm air from the structure during the summer months, which can help you keep your electric bill lower.
Problems With Having Inadequate Roof Ventilation
Not having an adequately ventilated roof can cause extensive problems. Unfortunately, improper installation and outdated ventilation systems can wreak havoc on homeowners. There are some common issues that can be caused by not having proper ventilation.
Your Home Can Be Damaged
Without a properly functioning ventilation system in your home, you are at an increased risk of experiencing severe and costly damage to your home. Rain, ice, and even snow have the potential to enter your attic and cause severe damage to the entire roofing system. It also has the potential to cause damage to any of your possessions that are inside your attic.
If a damaged or malfunctioning ventilation system is not addressed in a timely manner, it can result in severe water damage to your ceilings. Over time, this can cause mold issues, which can be incredibly dangerous to your health. It can also cause rotting of the roof decking, which can result in a collapse if it is not tended to in a timely manner.
It Can Invalidate the Warranty on Your Shingles
In addition to causing severe damage to your home, your attic, and your roof deck, not having an adequate roof ventilation system can also cause problems with your shingle warranties.
If you do not have an adequate ventilation system in place on your roof and in your attic, it can void the warranty entirely. As a result, if your roof has faulty shingles installed on it and you face premature deterioration of the shingles and other problems, the manufacturer will not pay to replace the shingles or repair the damage.
Prevent Problems for Your Roof With Adequate Ventilation
Installing good ventilation on your roof is critical. A properly working and installed ventilation system can help reduce the possibility of mold growth, prevent excessive moisture from damaging your roof, and help to ensure that your warranty remains valid during your time of need. If you are interested in having a roof ventilation system installed on your home or scheduling an inspection to determine if the ventilation system that you currently have is adequate, feel free to reach out to our team today at Freeman Exteriors.
Our team has decades of experience helping homeowners across Illinois and Indiana with their roofing needs. You can depend on our professionals to help guide you through the process and provide you with information surrounding any potential issues and what you can do to correct them.
To get started on protecting your roof and ensuring it will work for years to come, feel free to call us at 217-355-5477 or schedule a free estimate by using our website now.
