subject: Roof Ventilation Problems [print this page] Whats your roof ventilation system like? Maybe youve just had a new roof put on, or maybe youve moved into a new home and youre not quite sure whats going on up there in the attic. Chances are, your attic has some condensation issues caused by evaporation from your household appliancesand you should definitely think about getting that dampness taken care of. Condensation in your attic can cause rust, mildew, dry rot, ice dams and a whole host of other structural problems. (Trust us, you dont want to deal with these.) The way to get rid of your attic condensation is by getting your roof properly ventilated, and the time to work on your ventilation issues is now. If you suspect your attic may be full of damp air, its definitely time to start searching for some quality contractors who handle roof waterproofing in Rochester, NY.
There are a few important things you should keep in mind when preparing to get your roof ventilated. Here are some of the important (but sometimes overlooked) aspects of roof ventilation.
You need intake vents as well as exhaust vents. Its a no-brainer that the moist air needs to exit through exhaust vents but many people dont realize that you need intake vents, too. The fresh air that comes in through these vents is what pushes the damp air out of the exhaust vents. (Think about those three-gallon jugs of water that need an extra hole punched in the top before water will flow out the spigot.) Ideally, your attic should act as a long tunnel with a continuous stream of cool air moving through the top of the roof.
Dont mix up your vents. You should not combine two types of exhaust vents (i.e., can vents and ridge vents) in the same structure. Your roofing contractor may need to block one type of vent off and install new ones instead.
Prevent short circuits. When youre using a ridge vent for exhaust, you should make sure to block off all gable vents from the inside to keep the vent mechanisms from short-circuiting.
Gable vents can destroy air flow. That is, they can interrupt that long, cool current of air flowing between your intake and exhaust vents. Your roofing contractor can help you find the best solution to deal with this problem.
Whatever you currently know about ventilation, if youre having issues with condensation in your roof, its time you learned more. You need the best roof waterproofing specialists in Rochester, NY to deal with your condensation problems so be sure to give the roofing contractors at North Star Home Improvement a call. NSHI can set up your ventilating system with the right balance for maximum airflow, protecting you from the problems that come from excess condensation.
