Does Your Home Need Roof Ventilation?

Roof ventilation. Let’s be honest, it’s probably a topic that you haven’t thought much about as a homeowner. Even if you pay close attention to your roof and stay on top of maintenance, repairs, and replacement, chances are you have never paid the ventilation system any mind. Some roofs may not even have ventilation installed, whereas others have systems that may not be accomplishing their intended goals. In these circumstances, it is advised to have a system installed, and have it done correctly. Before we dive into determining if your home needs roof ventilation, let’s first take a look at what it is and why it is important! 

What is Roof Ventilation? 

Roof ventilation systems consist of both intake and exhaust vents that aid in the circulation of air within a home. This can happen in a variety of ways, either naturally or mechanically. 

Natural ventilation systems are often simple vents installed in the attic that allow the rising hot air to escape and be replaced with cooler, low-pressure air. Vents are not required for natural ventilation, however, as doors and windows can also accomplish the same airflow.   

Mechanical ventilation is sometimes required when a home’s structure or the pitch of the roof do not allow proper airflow throughout the attic, or if the outdoor climate does not regularly have enough wind to all for natural ventilation. This kind of system involves vents that are powered in order to force the air to circulate. 

Why is Roof Ventilation Important?

Now that we’ve established an understanding of what roof ventilation entails, it is important to understand the benefits! As discussed, this system allows for the exchange of hot air that rises to the attic for cooler air. If a ventilation system is not present or if it is installed improperly, this exchange cannot occur, meaning that the hot air remains trapped in your home. This can lead to difficulty regulating the temperature inside. 

In addition, this hot air can lead to other issues such as mold, mildew, and more! If left like this for an extended period of time, you could end up with irreversible and irreparable damage to your roof and the supporting structures within your home. These problems can be costly to fix, and may even require a full replacement of your roof and other damaged materials. 

Signs Your Home Needs Roof Ventilation

How do you know if your home needs a roof ventilation system? There are several signs that you can watch out for! 

Excess Icicles or Ice Dams

In the winter, some icicles are fairly common. However, if you notice that your roof has many of them hanging around, or if you start to see ice dams from your roof getting warm and then the melted snow re-freezing along the edge, it may be a good idea to look into having vents installed. 

Strained or Broken HVAC

When your roof ventilation isn’t working properly (or if you don’t have one at all!), it becomes difficult to regulate the temperature in your home. This leads to your HVAC unit needing to work extra hard to keep up. If your HVAC is strained or if it breaks, you may need to add some ventilation in your home. 

Hot or Cold Patches Inside

Similar to the previous point, difficulties in temperature regulation can lead to varying conditions within your home. If you start to notice that one room or a certain spot inside is hotter or colder than the surrounding areas, this could be a sign that you need to have a ventilation system installed. 

Water Damage

Without proper ventilation, hot air in your attic can result in condensation. This then leads to mold, mildew, and other water-related issues. If you start to see water damage visible in your home, notice that your roof is leaking, or see signs of mold and mildew, a ventilation system may be in order. 

Roof Ventilation and Robinhood Roofing

Have you determined that your home needs roof ventilation? Are you still unsure and want to get the opinion of a professional? Whether you want to upgrade, update, maintain, repair, or replace your roof, or you want to replace your gutters, our experts can help. Whatever project you have in mind, we can provide you with an estimate before the work gets started. Get in touch with our team of residential roofing professionals in Parma, Ohio, today!