How Poor Roof Ventilation Can Damage Your Roof

Roof ventilation is a part of the roof system that’s overlooked even though its essential to the health of the roof. Proper roof ventilation ensures that hot air is able to escape the attic space. Most homeowners are aware of the importance of keeping the attic cool in order to keep cooling costs down in the summer but there’s another reason to keep the attic cooler in the summer months and it has to do with the health of the roof.

Poor ventilation and your roof deck

The roof deck is the structural foundation of your roof. It’s what supports the weight of the roof shingles. Poor ventilation on the roof can cause your attic to have a build-up of moisture. Too much water in the air in your attic space can lead to mold and rot in the roof deck. When this occurs the structural integrity of the roof deck is compromised and it can lead to sections of your roof sagging. This in turn leads to sunken-in areas where rainwater can pool up causing further damage to your roof.

Poor ventilation and your shingles

Poor ventilation also results in too much heat trapped in the attic. While shingles are designed to withstand high temperatures, they will fail faster if they’re exposed to excessive heat. On the hottest days of summer, asphalt shingles which absorb heat can reach temperatures above 150 degrees. Add to that extreme temperatures in the attic beneath the shingles and they’re literally being baked as if in an oven. Over time this causing shingles to crack, curl, and warp and it causes them to lose the ceramic granules that protect them from the sun’s UV rays. This can lead to roof leaks and premature roof failure.

The next time you have a Spokane roofing company come out to inspect your roof, make sure they’re checking the ventilation in addition to the actual shingles.

Home improvement news brought to you by bartonroof.com

Source: portlandtribune.com/pt-adv-insiders/360879–240973–3-important-summer-roofing-tips