When assessing the health of their roofs most homeowners evaluate major things like leaks and shingle damage, but forget other issues like ventilation that can cause severe problems too. Poor roof ventilation affects not only the house but also everyone residing in it. This is why we have dedicated the sections below to highlight the effects of poor roof ventilation.
Increased indoor temperature extremes
Poor attic ventilation leads to increased attic temperatures when trapped air is heated up by heat produced by the roof after the sun beats down on it. The heat then moves through the attic floor to warm the rooms in your house, leading to elevated temperatures that force your HVAC to work harder to lower the temperatures. This creates a strain on your HVAC leading to more repairs and high monthly energy bills.
The increased heat in the attic is also transferred back to the roof causing the shingles to overheat and get damaged thus reducing their lifespan. It also warps the wood framing in your attic which then leads to warped walls and door frames that cause your paint and wallpaper to blister.
Build-up of moisture
If you have a poorly ventilated roof, then you are in for trouble during the summer season as well as the winter season due to the temperature extremes. During winter, steam coming from various sources like your shower gets trapped in the attic, condenses, and begins to drip back onto your insulation making it less effective.
The condensation also creates a favourable atmosphere for mould to grow. The mould then wafts into the house and causes various health issues like allergic reactions or triggers an asthma attack. The condensation can also form on your eaves, pushing moisture up under your roof leading to the formation of ice dams that cause roof leaks.
The moisture also causes metallic objects like nails and fasteners to rust. When the moisture seeps into the roof decking, it dissolves and damages the adhesive, leading to spongy or saggy decking.
One of the most effective actions that you can take to improve the lifespan of your roof is to make sure that you have adequate roof ventilation. This is why we encourage you to use RapidRidge, which is a dry fixed system that enables passive ventilation without damaging the look of your roof. To find out more kindly reach us via our email info@evobuild.com.au or call us on 02 9666 1069.