Your roof is critical in protecting your home from the elements. That’s why it’s so important that it remains in pristine condition. Failures can lead to leakage that will not only damage your personal possessions but also the structure of your house. Poor ventilation can cause major damage to your roof and attic. Many roofing issues revolve around the materials, such as shingles and flashing. However, it’s important to find the underlying causes of damaged shingles or leaking eaves to protect the integrity of your roof.
Improper ventilation of the roof and attic space is one of the most common underlying causes of roof failure. Your roof is constantly exposed to the worst forces of nature. Blazing direct sunlight, high temperatures, powerful winds, and drenching rains all erode the integrity of the roof. But improper ventilation can be as damaging to your roof surface because it undermines the all-important substructure. Keep reading to learn how you can decide if your roof is ventilated properly.
Deteriorating Insulation
Most homes feature insulation, either on the underside of the roof decking or in the attic’s floor space. The fibrous or foamy absorbent insulation will soak up and trap moisture if your roof and attic are not ventilated. This will lead it to degrade much more than it should. If you see that your insulation is deteriorating early, it may be because there’s excess moisture trapped in the attic.
Damaged Shingles
A properly installed roof using quality roofing materials should last decades, even in the harshest of climates. While every roof has a finite lifespan, one that features shingle damage after only a short amount of time can show that there’s improper ventilation of the roof surface. If you see that your shingles are buckling, cracking, or warping, that could be a sign the roof surface temperature is too high. Also, it could be a sign of trapped moisture beneath the shingles. In either event, it requires adequate ventilation to protect the roof and keep it in good condition.
Excessive Attic Moisture
Your attic should be a dry environment when properly ventilated. However, without proper ventilation, it can become a trap for moist air that will lead to mold and mildew. Warm, moist air from household activities such as cooking, laundering clothes, and showering rises into the attic of your home. When properly ventilated, that attic breathes and pushes that air out into the outside environment. Without ventilation, it becomes trapped in the attic. That can create the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow, which can create another set of problems.
Rusting of Attic Fasteners
If you notice that the fasteners in your attic are rusting, that’s sign that there’s a moisture problem in your attic caused by improper ventilation. Metal items in your roof, including roofing straps, HVAC components, and electrical system components should be completely rust-free. If there’s even mild-to-moderate surface rust on those metal components, it may be a sign of improper ventilation.
If you notice any of these signs of improper roof ventilation, you should contact one of the reputable roofing companies in your area to provide an inspection and offer expert solutions. To learn more about the warning signs that your roof may not be properly ventilated, contact Joe Ward Enterprises inc. at 305-233-6316