Having a stable roof on our home is vital to the safety and the value of our property. So, how can you enhance the safety and value that your home’s roof already provides? A key way to extend the longevity and effectiveness of your roof system is by ensuring that your attic and roof are vented properly.

In cold temperatures, without proper roof ventilation, moisture can collect on the underside of the roof. At the very least, this can cause condensation that soaks the insulation and reduces your home’s energy efficiency. At worst, the built-up moisture may cause extremely costly structural damage to the house and cause mold, rotting, or pest-related problems. Lack of ventilation can also increase energy consumption in the warmer months as well. A hot attic in the summer without ventilation can increase a home’s overall temperature, forcing homeowners to crank up their air conditioning and adding to cooling costs. 

What are roof ventilation options?

There is no standardized roof ventilation system for homes, and there are a few options to roof ventilation options consider:

Box vents are a very common style of roofing vent that employs no moving parts, instead of using natural convection to draw warm air from your attic to the outside. While they are popular for their low profile that blends well with nearly any roof, homeowners typically need to install more of these vents to match the efficiency of other ventilation systems.

Power vents are similar to box vents, yet are motorized and can be triggered to turn on when they detect certain moisture levels. Because they use power to operate, they can be one of the most effective at ventilating air, though not as environmentally friendly.

Wind turbines offer an eco-friendly roof venting option that employs a natural, wind-powered fan in the vent that draws air out of your attic.

Soffit and ridge vents are often used in tandem. Ridge vents, as the name suggests, are designed to be installed along the ridge of the roof, while soffit vents are installed at the soffits and eaves at the bottom of the roof. Because ridge vents typically run the length of the roof, they help create even temperatures throughout the attic space. Soffit vents help to bring in outside air, which can be released through the ridge vent, creating a nice airflow that makes the pair one of the best roof ventilation systems on the market today.

What are roof ventilation requirements?

According to the U.S. Federal Housing Administration, a minimum of at least one square foot of attic ventilation (split evenly between intake and exhaust) for every 300 square feet of attic floor space is recommended. 

How to install a roof vent?

Installing roof vents is best left in the hand of professionals. If you notice your heating and cooling bill beginning to soar and have never had your roof or attic inspected to know whether or not it is properly vented, a reliable roofing contractor will be able to quickly provide an inspection to assess any roof vent damages and ensure that your home’s roof and attic have the proper ventilation required.

What happens if a roof vent leaks during heavy rain?

The best and most immediate step for homeowners can do themselves is to try to contain dripping water from the leak in their attic space, especially if you are waiting for professional help to arrive. 

There are many possible parts of the roof potentially leaking but usually, roof vent leaks during heavy rain commonly arise from the insulation layer around the roof vent. A professional will be able to safely inspect your roof vents when they arrive to make repairs as needed. Most important is to identify all the areas where water is leaking until you can find the entry point, and stop the water from damaging other areas of the home by using buckets to contain the water leaks. 

If you are considering repairing or installing new roof vents on your roof, call the professional roofers at Powell’s today.