Adequate Attic Ventilation Enhances Energy Efficiency and Structural Integrity
Ask any homeowner to describe or explain the purpose of their attic and it is quite likely that they may draw a blank rather than giving an actual response. Some may say that the attic is a repository or, less colourfully, a place where the builders put the insulation.
This would be a factual answer to a degree, as an attic must be well insulated in order to help stabilize temperatures in the home throughout the year. But it would also be a less than complete answer, since an attic, specifically a well-insulated and properly ventilated attic, provides considerably more overall value to the homeowner and to the home itself.
Adequate attic ventilation offers a number of benefits with respect to:
- Energy efficiency
- Structural integrity
- Averting roof repairs
- Homeowner protection
- Temperature moderation
In more definitive terms, adequate attic ventilation is based upon a continuous intake of air, usually through gable and/or soffit vents, which produces air flow that expels moist and/or hot air through exhausts/outlets in the roof. This flow of air produces a number of favourable situations or outcomes:
- Preserves overall structural integrity and extends the life expectancy of the roof
- Inhibits moisture accumulation – prevents mold/water damage to wood, insulation
- Helps keep the home cooler during the summer – lowers energy consumption/costs
- Keeps roof colder in the winter – minimizes condensation and formation of ice dams
- Meets manufacturer and home insurance standards relative to shingle damage/claims
It is a well-accepted fact that the attic of a home needs to be properly insulated in order to keep interior temperatures comfortable on a year-round basis. What is perhaps less understood is the synergistic effect of this insulation with attic ventilation, which extends beyond temperature moderation and into such important facets of homeownership as energy efficiency and safeguarding structural integrity.
A Roof Inspection Should Also Include an Assessment of Your Attic Ventilation
There are several signs that should alert homeowners of a potential issue with their attic ventilation. Although not always in direct correlation, the most common signs consist of:
- Evidence of wood rot
- Deteriorating shingles
- Mold/mildew in the attic
- Frost formation in the attic
- The development of ice dams
Some of these indicators may be readily apparent to any/all observers; however, other types of underlying damage could be more obscure to the untrained eye. Therefore, for homeowners who suspect that there might be an issue with their attic ventilation, or for those who may wish to have confirmation that all is in proper working order, there is the option of a low-cost roof inspection by the trusted experts from Avenue Road Roofing in Toronto.
A roof inspection by the Avenue Road Roofing team will assess the overall condition of the roof, including the adequacy of the attic ventilation, and recommend the appropriate roof repairs should any issues or concerns be identified. Furthermore, the Avenue Road Roofing specialists can complete these roof repairs in a timely and cost-efficient manner, thereby alleviating the possibility of more extensive and potentially expensive problems.
To inspect and assess the condition of your roof and your attic ventilation before winter arrives, call the professionals from Avenue Road Roofing today at 416-785-5129 to schedule an inspection at your convenience.
