Ensuring your home has the proper attic ventilation according to these guidelines however can save yourself the stress and hassle of an emergency roof repair.
Proper attic ventilation.
Before we explore how to ventilate an attic space it is prudent to understand how much ventilation is needed.
Proper insulation and air sealing also keeps attics cold in winter by blocking the entry of heat and moist air from below.
Begin by making sure your existing system works photos 1 and 3 plugging major air leaks into the attic photo 2 and correcting any other of the common causes of poor attic venting.
That keeps your attic dry and reduces ice dams.
How do you pick the right attic vent.
Ventilation can be accomplished using various products and techniques.
In the winter warm moist air seeps into the attic from the living space below.
Venting a homes attic is a very important best building practices will say 50 at the ridge and 50 at the soffits unobstructed.
In the summer good attic ventilation reduces heat buildup.
A healthy airflow also helps with ice dams which begin to form when warm air in the attic melts the snow from beneath.
Lowering the temperature in the attic can help reduce air conditioning energy costs and roof deck temperature optimize the service life of a roof covering and minimize ice damming.
Some benefits of removing excess moisture include reducing.
Proper attic ventilation consists of a balance between air intake at your eaves soffits or fascias and air exhaust at or near your roof ridge.
That cuts cooling costs and prolongs shingle life.
The insulation will resist heat transfer into.
How attic ventilation works.
Attic ventilation serves two main functions.
As a certified licensed home inspector it is not correct to say too much ventilation is bad for an attic unless rain moisture is getting in.
To lower attic temperatures and to remove excess moisture.
If you have either ice dams or moisture buildup improve your attic ventilation.
In the summer natural air flow in a well vented attic moves super heated air out of the attic protecting roof shingles and removing moisture.
Ventilation of attic spaces is required by most building codes as well as by roofing material manufacturers and the national roofing contractors association nrca.
Federal housing authority recommends a minimum of at least 1 square foot of attic ventilation evenly split between intake and exhaust for every 300 square feet of attic floor space.
If those steps don t solve the problem add more soffit vents following the.
If this air lingers it can condense on the underside of the roof sheathing and rot it.