Why Should I Ventilate My Attic

Wondering whether or not ventilating your attic is a necessary step? The professionals at Integrity Roofing are here to help explain why attic ventilation is important and how it protects your home from heat and moisture. 

 

What is attic ventilation?

So, you may have heard about attic ventilation, but what exactly is it? Attic ventilation is a system that allows not just your attic, but your entire home, to “breathe.” Using a system of intake and exhaust vents, ventilation systems in the attic move the hot air out of the attic and brings cool air in, replacing the overheated air of the attic with fresh air from outside. 

 

Because hot air naturally rises, attic ventilation systems use intake vents that are placed at the bottom of the roof, below the soffits. This is what lets the cool air from outside circulate in and replace the stale, warm air. The flow of outside air continues in throughout the attic until it reaches the exhaust vents on the top of the roof and exits the system. 

 

Why is it important to have a ventilated attic?

Having a ventilated attic is incredibly important for the health of your air conditioning system as well as protecting your roof from the elements. 

 

Heat: 

During the summer, temperatures can get pretty high, surpassing 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures this high pose a huge risk to your air conditioning system because they cause the system to work harder than it needs to. In addition, without proper ventilation, heat and moisture can cause damage to the components of the roofing system and degrade the system supports, potentially causing the lifespan of the roof to be shortened.

 

Winter Conditions:

In the winter months, there is still heat built up in your attic, which along with the sun can cause any snow on your roof to begin to melt. The running water from the melting snow can then refreeze and form ice dams, which then can lead to water getting under your shingles. This causes damage to your roof and can even lead to leaks.

 

Moisture:

Having a ventilated attic can reduce the amount of moisture inside your home. The things we do throughout our daily lives emit water into the air that can travel into the attic and form condensation. This condensation can then lead to other issues such as wood rot, mold, and mildew.

 

Roofing Services at Integrity Roofing

Have more questions about attic ventilation or our other roofing services? Don’t hesitate to contact the pros at Integrity Roofing. We are more than happy to answer your questions. Give us a call today!