Would you consider your roof complete without its shingles? Of course not. Those shingles form the protective outer layer that wards off the punishment of rain, sun, wind and hail. Without the shingles you have no roof. But, what about the ventilation system for that same roof?
Most homeowners are unaware of the importance of proper ventilation. Poor ventilation is the hidden nemesis of every roof and it is the literal underlying reason behind many premature roof replacements. If your venting is installed or maintained improperly the useful lifespan of your roof will be negatively and severely impacted.
Why is venting such a big deal? That’s because moisture attacks your roof from the inside as well as the outside. Indoors, the average home can produce up to five pounds of water vapor in a single day, and this moisture needs somewhere to go. Water vapors are lighter than air, so these vapors will rise into the attic space. From there a good Fort Worth roofing design will allow the moisture to escape via air circulation and escape vents. The following points out some observable symptoms that can indicate root problems associated with poor ventilation.
Symptoms
- Mildew and mold – Even in places where you can’t see the dark spotting of mold and mildew, you can often detect its presence by tell-tale odors.
- Frost – If you have frost on the outside of your roof, there’s no problem. That’s where the frost belongs. When you spot frost inside the attic, then you have a problem with your ventilation.
- Rust – Over time, some oxidation of the metal parts of the inside structure of your roof can be expected. But, if the rust is widespread that indicates the presence of unwanted condensation.
- Ice dams – These ridges of ice form at the cooler lower edge of a roof when snow melts but refreezes before draining from the roof. This can cause water to back up underneath the roofing where it can penetrate to the interior. Venting reduces some initial melting, reducing ice dam formation.
- Cracked roofing material – When shingles start cracking years before they should begin to break down it often indicates that excessive heat is present between the shingles and roof decking. You’re actually cooking away the life of your roofing material. Super-heating of poorly ventilated air can raise the temperatures in the attic to a deathly 160 degrees!
- Inefficient heating and cooling – Though less obvious than other symptoms of roofing deterioration, temperature imbalances can cause your A/C unit to work harder and can lead to wet attic insulation that can’t do its job.
The presence of any of these symptoms should trigger a call to your Old Pro Roofing office. Our dedicated team of Fort Worth roofers will be happy to provide a free roof inspection, which will include a comprehensive check of your attic ventilation. If trouble is detected, Old Pro Roofing can supply the remedy, from soffit intake to ridge venting to full roof replacement.
Fort Worth Roofing Office: (817) 929-ROOF (7663)
Dallas Roofing Office: (972) 975-Roof (7663)