Signs of Poor Roof Ventilation
Likely nobody wants to stay in a stuffy and humid home. But this is what you will have to deal with if your house has poor roof ventilation. Poor ventilation can increase your energy bills and lead to costly repairs. Learn about the main signs of poor roof ventilation.
Damaged Shingles
The roofing system could sustain considerable damage if the attic has poor ventilation. For instance, you might notice that the shingles have started to blister and buckle. This is because the attic has exposure to excessive heat. Excess humidity can also cause fungus, algae, and mold to grow on the roof, causing the roofing material to decay and deteriorate.
Deteriorating shingles can cause crevices, holes, and cracks on your attic, attracting more moisture to your roof. This can cause leaks and significant water damage.
Ice Dams
Poor roof ventilation allows heat to escape from your home. This causes the roof to heat up and melt the snow on it. Melted snow will run down the roof but turn back into ice once it reaches the edges of the roof. The result will be the formation of large ice dams on your roof’s edges.
Broken-Down HVAC System
Poor roof ventilation can put excessive strain on your HVAC system. During the summer, poor ventilation can trap more hot air in the house and force your HVAC unit to work harder to get rid of the warm air. In winter, poor ventilation allows heat to escape the home, putting extra strain on your heating system.
As a result, poor ventilation increases the rate of wear and tear of your HVAC unit.
Deteriorating Insulation
Many homes have insulation features on the attic or roof’s underside. If your roof has poor ventilation, moisture can accumulate in the foamy insulation material. The moisture can cause deterioration in the attic and cause it to age much earlier than it should.
Rusting Attic Fasteners
Improper ventilation can cause rusting on metal components on your roof, such as roofing straps and HVAC components. Any electrical system components on the roof could also corrode due to improper ventilation. The problem of rusting is especially great if poor ventilation allows moisture to accumulate on metal components on your roof.
Visible Flashing
Water can penetrate your roof through ventilation or chimneys. To prevent that, roofers often install thin sheets called flashing around the ventilation or chimneys. However, installers often hide the flashing to improve the appearance of your roof. If your home has poor ventilation, the flashing on your roof could become visible.
Unwanted Pests
Poor roof ventilation can cause cracks and crevices on the roof. Critters and other pests might use these openings to enter your home. Birds can also create nests on poorly ventilated roofs.
Mold Growth
Opening windows and doors can help get rid of excess moisture, but that is not enough. Proper ventilation is necessary to get rid of all excess moisture from your home. If the roof has poor ventilation, moisture and warm air can accumulate in your home. This could create the ideal environment for mold growth.
The first sign of mold growth is discoloration of the attic. You could notice dark and spotty strains on various parts of your roof. If you don’t fix the problem of poor ventilation, the mold will spread to other parts of your home. Proper attic ventilation can also allow enough air to circulate in the room and remove the humidity that supports mold growth.
As soon as you suspect your home has poor ventilation, contact a qualified roofer. Rays Harford Home Improvement Contractors Inc. provides various roofing services, such as roofing inspection, installation, and repairs. Contact us today for more information.
