How Proper Roof Ventilation Helped Fix This Roof’s Damage

By Guardian Roofing. 

When this Seattle homeowner noticed their leaky, damaged roof, a new ventilation system was installed and fixed his problems. 

Moisture is one of the worst enemies a roof can have. When moisture builds up and gets neglected, it can cause mold, structural damage and even the deterioration of your shingles. Homeowners who live in more humid, rainy areas are more likely to have roofs that experience moisture damage. That’s exactly what happened to Kurt, a Seattle homeowner. Here’s how we at Guardian Roofing & Gutters came to his rescue by installing proper ventilation. 

As previously mentioned, neglected moisture build up can form as a consequence of physical roof damage. 

Flat and low-sloped roofing are at high risk for costly damages if not installed correctly and maintained. Leaks cause structural rot, namely by cracks on a flat roof. However, the rot may have also been caused by a poorly ventilated attic. This happened to be the circumstance for our customer, Kurt. 

Kurt noticed wet spots on the ceiling and realized it was time to call a professional. Upon our inspection, we were able to tell that the previous contractor framed an additional flat roof section but had left out one important detail. There was no exhaust ventilation. Poorly ventilated attics often have high moisture levels, and it doesn’t take much moisture to rot wood and other organic materials. In fact, it only takes a moisture level of 20% to start the decaying process! 

If your contractor deems a poorly ventilated attic to be the main culprit, installing a ventilation system should remedy the problem. 

So your roof has no ventilation. What’s happening? 

There are several detrimental situations that can occur if a roof has no ventilation. Here’s a peak of what could be happening: 

Mold growth 

Mold loves warm, shaded, moist environments and an unventilated attic is prime conditions for mold. Not only does mold grow cause decay in your roofing and structures but it is also harmful to your health. 

Condensation 

When the temperature inside your attic gets too hot, it can cause the air to hold more moisture. This moisture can then condense on the cold surfaces in your attic, leading to mold and mildew growth. Increased moisture can also lead to rust issues with metal components, such as flashing and nails.  

Shingle deterioration 

Insufficient heat ventilation can cause one of the more serious problems in one’s house: shingle deterioration. Increased heat can cause the asphalt in your shingles to break down, making them more susceptible to wind and rain damage. And when this happens, you can end up with leaks and other expensive repairs on your hands, not to mention unhealthy gasses that are released into the air.  

Structural damage 

Structural damage is one of the most serious problems moisture can cause. When warm temperatures build up in your attic from poor ventilation, the framing materials begin to fluctuate with the temperature. This will continue to weaken them over time which could ultimately lead to the collapse of your roof. One major sign of roofing beams sustaining damage is when you spot bowing or sagging.  

As you can see, there are many problems that can occur if your roof is not properly ventilated. If you’re concerned that your roof isn’t properly ventilated, the best thing to do is to contact Guardian Roofing & Gutters or a contractor in your area.  

See how we helped Kurt 

As we mentioned earlier, Kurt was noticing wet spots on the ceiling. Upon our inspection we could see that There was no exhaust ventilation. This was causing the framing to rot and needed to be completely redone. First we opened up an intake slot for air to get in, to draw ventilation into the cavity. Next we installed new exhaust ventilation into the flat area, to promote exhaust. Finally, we performed chimney repairs to keep them safe from top to bottom. 

Ventilation is an important part of roof maintenance, so don’t neglect it! Make sure your roof has adequate ventilation to avoid problems like rot, mold growth, and structural damage. Living in the greater Seattle Metropolitan Area can have wet weather conditions that can be harmful to your roof. Schedule routine maintenance and inspections to keep your roof healthy.  

Have a question? AskARoofer.   

Find your local roofing contractor in the RoofersCoffeeShop® Contractor Directory. 

Original article source: Guardian Roofing & Gutters