Proper ventilation is critical to prevent damage to your roof and other parts of your home. If you’ve experienced roof damage, ice dams, moisture buildup, or high utility bills, your roof may benefit from additional ventilation.
Why Does a Roof Need Ventilation?
In the winter, heat from a poorly ventilated attic can melt snow on the roof. Water that runs down to the eaves can then refreeze and form ice dams, which can damage the roof and cause leaks and other problems. Roof vents can keep the roof cool in the winter and prevent ice dams from forming.
Vents in your roof can keep the attic from becoming unbearably hot in the summer. Vents can allow heat to escape, which can keep the house cooler, let you rely less on air conditioning, and keep your utility bills down.
High temperatures can cause roofing shingles to wear out earlier than they should. Improving ventilation can reduce the risk of roof damage and increase the roof’s lifespan.
Moisture can damage roofing components and can lead to mold growth. Vents can allow warm, moist air to escape from the attic and let cool, dry air in. That can prevent moisture buildup, keep mold from growing, and protect your insulation from moisture damage.
How Much Ventilation Does Your Roof Need?
The answer to this question depends on several factors. While there are general guidelines based on the size of a roof, other variables, such as the climate, the design of the house, and whether the roof has a vapor barrier, will also come into play.
Roofing Professionals Can Make Sure Your Roof Has Enough Ventilation
At JS and R Roofing, we have experience working with homes in a wide range of sizes and styles. We can inspect your roof and attic and look for signs of damaged shingles or moisture problems. If we note any of those issues, we may advise you to install additional vents on the roof.
We may recommend adding soffit vents, ridge vents, power vents, or other types. A combination of different forms of ventilation can ensure that there is the adequate air intake and air exhaust in place.
If you’re concerned that inadequate roof ventilation may be causing problems at your Connecticut home, contact JS and R Roofing. We will come to your house, conduct an inspection, pinpoint the source of the problem, and let you know if additional ventilation can help. If so, we will figure out which types of vents and how many you need and provide you with an estimate for installation.
