One of the most important things you can do for your roof is to keep it properly ventilated. We take for granted using the shower, doing the laundry and running the dishwasher but don’t consider how much humidity these activities put out. The moisture generated is carried upward as the heat in your house rises and gets trapped in the attic. You need to have more than one roof vent to allow it to escape.
Poor ventilation puts stress on the roof. It damages the rafter, the wood sheathing in the roof deck, the underlayment and the shingles. It saturates the attic insulation and reduces its ability to keep the house warm in the winter and cold in the summer. Each additional roof vent increases the circulation on the attic that keeps it dry and functioning the way it should.
The ridge vent generally runs the length of the roof along the highest main peak on the house. When the wind blows over the ridge it creates a negative pressure that pulls warm, humid air out of the attic. Fresh air is drawn through the soffit vents under the eaves. On a day without wind, the convection action of warm air rising inside the house encourages air flow in the attic through one roof vent and out another. It does not require the use of energy or electricity.
Adequate circulation prevents issues such as rotting roofing materials, growth of mold and mildew, crumbling drywall or plaster, warped siding and peeling paint. A cooler, drier attic extends the life of your roof significantly. A well-maintained roof can last for fifteen years or more, but a roof covering a hot, damp attic will need to be replaced after a few years.
Call us for a free assessment if you suspect you may need to have another roof vent installed. The cost is much less than replacing the entire roof or sections that have suffered from water damage. You’ll notice the difference immediately when you have enough air flow in the attic, especially when you see the decreased cost to heat and cool your home.
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