Your roof is critical in protecting your home from the elements. That’s why it’s so important that it remains in pristine condition. Failures can lead to leakage that will not only damage your personal possessions and decorative elements in the home, but also the very structure of your house. While many roofing issues revolve around the materials, such as shingles and flashing, the underlying causes of damaged shingles or leaking eaves must also be determined to protect the integrity of your roof and everything beneath it.
One of the most common underlying causes of roof failure seen by roofing services in Alpharetta is improper ventilation of the roof and attic space. The roof is confronted with constant exposure to the worst forces nature can throw at it. Blazing direct sunlight, high temperatures, powerful winds, and drenching rains all erode the integrity of the roof. However, improper ventilation can be as damaging to your roof surface because it undermines the all-important substructure. Keep reading to learn how you can determine if your roof is improperly ventilated.
Deteriorating Insulation
Most modern homes feature some type of insulation in the attic, either on the underside of the roof decking or in the floor of the attic space. If the roof and attic are improperly ventilated, that fibrous or foamy absorbent insulation will begin to soak up and trap moisture, which will lead it to degrade much more quickly than it should. If you see that your insulation appears to be deteriorating ahead of schedule, it may be because there’s excess moisture trapped in the attic due to improper ventilation.
Damaged Shingles
A properly installed roof using quality roofing materials should last decades, even in the harshest of climates. While every roof has a finite lifespan, one that features shingle damage after only a short amount of time can indicate that there’s improper ventilation of the roof surface. For example, if you see that your shingles are buckling, cracking, or warping, that could be a sign the temperature of the roofing surface is getting too high or moisture is trapped beneath the shingles. In either event, adequate ventilation is required to protect the roof and keep it in good condition for years to come.
Excessive Attic Moisture
Your attic should be a dry environment when properly ventilated. However, without proper ventilation, it can become a trap for moist air that will eventually lead to the development of mold and mildew. Warm, moist air from household activities such as cooking, laundering clothes, and showering rises upwards and enters the attic of your home. When properly ventilated, that attic breathes and pushes that air out into the outside environment. Without ventilation, however, it becomes trapped in the attic. That can create the perfect environment for mold and mildew to grow, which can create another set of problems.
Rusting of Attic Fasteners
If you notice that the fasteners in your attic, such as screws and nails, are rusting, that’s a good indication that there’s a moisture problem in your attic caused by improper ventilation. Under normal circumstances, metal items in your roof, including roofing straps, HVAC components, and electrical system components should be completely rust-free. If there’s even mild to moderate surface rust on those metal components, it may be a sign of improper ventilation.
If you notice any of these signs of improper roof ventilation, you should contact one of the reputable roofing companies in your area to provide an inspection and offer expert solutions. To learn more about the warning signs that your roof may not be properly ventilated, contact Superior Roofing Company of Georgia at (770) 279-2621.