Many homeowners don’t think about attic ventilation, but it’s actually one of the most important parts of your home. With the right amount of ventilation in your attic, you add extra protection to your roofing system and improve the comfort of your family. Not only that, but it also helps you save money on your heating and cooling bills.
For an effective attic ventilation system, you need to establish a steady, high volume of air movement. The system components must be sized and positioned correctly to provide constant air throughout your attic area. To create air movement, you need either natural or mechanical ventilation. Natural ventilation relies on stack and wind effects while mechanical ventilation requires a power source to draw fresh air in and take out stale attic air.
An adequately ventilated attic brings plenty of advantages to your home. For one thing, it prevents excessive heat and moisture, which can wreak havoc on your roofing system. It can also:
Extend the service life of your roof. If your attic overheats, your roof will be heated on its interior surface as well. As a result, your roof underlayment and shingles may dry out and crack. If this happens, you need to call a roof repair professional. They will also recommend adding vents to your attic to prevent the damage from occurring again.
Stop ice dam formation. During winter, ice dams may form along the edges of your roof if your attic is not properly ventilated. Once ice dams form, it blocks the escape of water runoff. Since the water has nowhere to go, it may back up under your shingles and cause damage.
Prevent mold and mildew growth. Humidity, whether it’s coming from inside or outside your home, can enter your attic area and condense into a liquid upon contact with colder surfaces. Over time, the damp environment inside the attic leads to growth of mold and mildew, which are known to cause respiratory issues within the household.
For more inquiries regarding your roofing system, get in touch with Tri-County Contracting! We provide top-quality roofing issues, including roof replacement and more. Call us today at (262) 679-6100, or fill out our contact form to set an appointment. We proudly serve homeowners in Waukesha, WI, and the surrounding communities.
