Here’s Why Roof Ventilation Is Vital for Your Home or Business
Whether it’s a home or a large commercial property, your roof is essential to protecting the interior from the outside elements. However, when most people think about a roof, they only think of the materials forming the outer, protective layer. As it turns out though, your roof is a complex system with multiple components that have a key role to play—and roof ventilation is one of the most important. At Skyline Contracting, we’ve inspected many residential and commercial roofs with flawed ventilation systems, and the idea of poor ventilation being an issue often came as a surprise for our customers. However, proper ventilation is vital for the functioning of any roof system, and in today’s post, we’re sharing why that’s the case.
What Does Roof Ventilation Do?
Roof ventilation has a pretty simple function: it allows air to flow from the inside of a home or commercial structure to the outside. This is similar to the functionality of many other vents throughout your property, such as your HVAC system (which includes spaces for air to flow out of, in addition to the cool or warm air blowing in) or ventilation installed in bathrooms, the hood vents over stovetops, and as part of dryers.
Why Does Roof Ventilation Matter?
With such a simple function, it can be easy to overlook why roof ventilation is so crucial for the health of your roof and your property as a whole. However, the airflow created by roof vents is very necessary, as it helps your roof regulate the interior temperature of your property and mitigate moisture accumulation.
Temperature Regulation
Let’s start with the first function. While your HVAC system may be the first thing that comes to mind in terms of temperature regulation, it can’t perform this function by itself. This is because warmer air will inevitably flow to the upper portion of any building. Without adequate roof ventilation, that warm air has nowhere to go. This accumulation of warm air can be a problem in both winter and summer. During the winter, it can lead to temperature imbalances on your roof, creating an environment ripe for ice dam formation (though this is rare during our winters here in Gainesville, of course). In the summer, however, it can raise the temperature of your roof to extreme levels, which can cause serious harm as materials bend, warp, and otherwise deteriorate in the heat.
Moisture Mitigation
Moisture accumulation is enemy number one of any roofing system. Standing water is a leading cause of leaks and other issues on commercial roofing systems. But moisture can also be a major problem inside your property, as well. Without proper ventilation, warm and humid air will collect in your attic or the upper portion of your commercial building, just underneath the roof. As this humid air contacts the underside of your roof, it will cause condensation—and without airflow, that moisture will remain and create an environment for mold, mildew, and rot to take hold. Roof vents create airflow that dries out moisture and helps to prevent any issues with rotting or mildew from occurring.
Signs of Poor Ventilation
Poor ventilation can negatively affect your roof and your property in a variety of ways. Luckily, the signs of poor roof ventilation can be relatively easy to recognize. Signs of poor attic ventilation:
- Foul odors in your attic
- Visible mold, mildew, or rot
- Oppressively warm air in your attic
- Pest infestations
- Increasing energy bills
Signs of poor ventilation for commercial properties:
- Excessive moisture on the ceiling of your property, or even dripping water with no detected leaks
- Soaring energy bills, which are even more noticeable in large commercial properties
- Signs of mold or mildew with no other known causes
Notice Signs of Poor Roof Ventilation? Call the Pros at Skyline Contracting
Roof ventilation must be accounted for when installing any roofing system, whether it’s a simple residential roof replacement or a highly complex commercial roofing project. At Skyline Contracting, our team prioritizes quality above all else, and we always take steps to account for proper ventilation, drainage, and other key aspects of your roof’s performance. If your home or commercial property is showing signs of poor ventilation, or if you’re curious about the health of your roof, our team is standing by to complete a thorough inspection of your roof. Call Skyline Contracting today to get started!
