If you are considering having any type of roof repair work done or a full roof replacement in Downriver Michigan, it’s important that you as a home owner understand a few things about roof ventilation. The two go hand in hand and you need to know what to expect, what you should ask of your roofing company, and what exactly is necessary. A good roofing company will be willing to work with you to make sure your roof and attic ventilation is balanced and functional, but having your own understanding of these will ensure you know what to ask for.
The Five Things You Need to Know About Roof and Attic Ventilation in Downriver Michigan
Many homeowners never consider the ventilation requirements of their homes. However, not having proper ventilation in your home can lead to all sorts of problems. Consider these five things about your home and it’s ventilation for more information:
- Good Ventilation can Lower Energy Costs – You should avoid sticking to the bare minimum ventilation that is suggested. Instead, go for optimal ventilation for your roof design and climate. Your roof, if kept healthy, can last for decades upon decades, but improper ventilation is one of those factors that could kill your roof quickly. Instead, keeping ample ventilation will save your roof and save you money in energy costs. Keeping the heat flow and air circulation in your attic and roof balanced will help your home stay cool during the summer and warm during the winter. Your HVAC won’t have to work as hard to heat and cool your home, saving you money.
- Improper Ventilation can Cause Damage – The space below your roof must be properly ventilated or you will risk it holding hot air, causing your roof to heat up easier. Heat stress during the summer can cause significant damage to your roof, and improper ventilation will only make this more likely to occur. Additionally, having insufficient ventilation will make your roof and attic more prone to water damage as well. Ice dams are more easily formed and condensation builds up easier when there is little ventilation to keep the area dry. Rot, mold, and mildew then become your biggest pains.
- Attic Fans May not be the Best Idea – An attic fan can keep air flowing faster and circulating, but this may not be as effective as you imagine. In some cases, this works well, but in others it just doesn’t cut it. If you have the proper ventilation, this really isn’t necessary for your attic. Fans also will push air out faster than usual, creating a vacuum system. This would make air more prone to seeping into rooms and could cause you to lose the cooler air you were trying to establish in the attic.
- Intake and Outflow Should be Balanced – Intake vents should be at least the same size as the exhaust vents for outflow. If your intake vents are smaller than your exhaust vents, that extra size is wasted because the airflow is limited to what can come into the attic. Many contractors won’t want to spend the time to mess with your intake vents, so if this is a problem you have, be sure to talk to your contractor about correcting the problem and making your intake and exhaust vents at least the same size.
- Protect the Vents – You don’t want any extra critters roaming around in your home. To prevent this from happening, you’ll want to be sure to protect any vent openings with wire screens. Keep in mind that even insects can get into your vents and wreak havoc. To prevent this, ask your contractor to put even smaller mesh screens on, and you’ll have protected vents! You’ll want to be strategic, though, on what vents get the smaller mesh, as putting small mesh on all your vents will prevent proper air flow and defeat the purpose of the ventilation. Either add more vents to counterbalance the smaller mesh, or consider which to cover with the small mesh.
If you’re concerned about the ventilation of your home or need to have an inspection done on your home’s roof be sure to call Downriver Roofers today. They offer free quotes on roofing projects and can help determine if your roof is performing as it should. Call today at 734-548-9919 for more details.
