6 Signs You Have Poor Attic Ventilation
Your attic is a key component of your home’s ventilation system. Discover six common signs that your ventilation system needs work.
Your attic is a key component of your home’s ventilation system. Discover six common signs that your ventilation system needs work.
Horror movies warn homeowners not to go into their attics. Thankfully, life isn’t a horror movie, even if it feels that way sometimes. You should be going up into your attic every now and then to check for issues. We promise Annabelle won’t be hiding up there; the worst thing you’ll probably find is mold.
Keeping up with what’s happening in your attic is crucial, as it is a key component of your roof’s ventilation system. Good ventilation prevents moisture buildup, mold and mildew growth, and costly structural damage, not to mention keeps your home comfortable, reducing strain on your HVAC system, and helps lower utility bills.
Active mold growth is one significant tell-tale sign of ventilation issues, but there are several others you may not realize are your home’s way of telling you, “Please help me!”
As we discussed in this article, proper attic ventilation helps regulate temperature. When heat from your attic escapes unevenly through the roof, it causes certain areas of the roof to be warmer than others. If you notice snow or frost melting faster on certain parts of your roof, Houston, you have a problem.
Similarly, ventilation problems allow warm air from your attic to heat the upper roof, melting snow that then runs down and refreezes at the colder eaves. If you see water streaks on your roof, it’s likely because of this process.
The most common cause of ice dams is inadequate ventilation, which, unfortunately, is common in most homes. They occur when hot air from the attic escapes through the roof and melts the snow, which then refreezes around the cooler roof eaves and gutters, forming large chunks of ice called “ice dams.” These dams prevent subsequent snowmelt from draining properly, creating a water backlog that eventually results in water damage and even roof leaks.
Shingle curling occurs when the edges of your roof’s shingles turn upward, altering their shape and impacting the level of protection they can offer. Shingle curling isn’t a definitive sign of ventilation problems, but it can certainly indicate a potential ventilation issue because a lack of proper airflow traps heat and moisture, weakening the shingles.
Think of shingle curling like the check engine light on your vehicle—it indicates there’s a problem that needs to be addressed, but it doesn’t tell you exactly what’s wrong with your car.
We already know that the itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout, but what we didn’t know is that the same itsy bitsy spider also found its way into your soffit vents.
That’s right—your vents are great vacation spots for all types of bugs, including spiders. They actually have a tendency to build their webs in the exterior vents, potentially blocking them over time. If intake and exhaust vents are blocked, air can’t circulate, trapping heat and moisture in the attic and leading to some of the other issues we’ve already discussed.
The good news is that blocked vents are an easy fix. The bad news? It’s not a DIY job. It’s easy to think, “Well, I could just blow the spiders out with a vacuum.” While that’s definitely an option, it’s not a good one. Vacuuming your vent can push debris further into the system or damage the vent structure. You’re also putting yourself at higher risk of injury (because let’s face it—how often are you getting on your roof?). A professional can replace blocked vents in a matter of minutes, so your best bet is to just have a professional come out.
This last issue is why we want to stress the importance of visiting your attic every now and then. If you’re not seeing light in your attic, that’s a problem. No light indicates a blockage, whether from insulation or that itsy bitsy spider, while light indicates the vents are open and unobstructed. It’s a simple, visual check you can do and should only take a few minutes.
If you’re looking into your attic, you should be able to see a small amount of light coming in through the ridge vents and soffits. This indicates a well-sealed and well-ventilated space. If you don’t see any light in these spaces, it could indicate a ventilation problem, such as a blockage.
As a homeowner, it’s going to be difficult for you to identify roof ventilation issues on your own because they’re often not visible from the surface. This is why we recommend scheduling a professional roof and attic inspection once a year.
An annual inspection is especially important if you have an older home that was built before continuous venting was standardized. And if you live in Michigan, that’s pretty much a given. If you’ve just bought a new home, we also recommend having your property inspected, even if the roof seems fine! Most home inspectors actually don’t check the various components of your roofing system as part of their standard inspection. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
At L&S Home Improvements, we care about one thing above all, ensuring every homeowner in our community is informed; and that’s why we care so much about home ventilation. It has such a significant impact on indoor comfort and the longevity of your roofing system.
If you’ve noticed any of the issues we’ve discussed in this article, contact us immediately. Our inspections are comprehensive, include exterior and interior evaluations, and, even better, are at no cost to you. Should we notice any issues, we’ll not only tell you about them but also provide photos and videos of what we found so you can see what we see and offer cost-effective, unbiased solutions.
Protect your investment and schedule your free inspection today.
