4 Issues You May Experience With a Poorly Ventilated Attic

Proper attic ventilation is a must for your home to prevent a wide array of problems that can compromise your roof’s longevity and your home’s structural integrity. Here are four issues you can expect from poor attic ventilation.

1. Mold and Mildew

Poor ventilation leads to a warm and humid attic environment. The presence of moisture within the space helps promote the growth of mold and mildew. These organisms can damage items in your attic and spread throughout the indoor air to cause respiratory issues among family members.

2. Sagging Roof

When your attic is poorly ventilated, you may soon notice that your roof is starting to sag. This happens when excess moisture starts seeping into the roof decking. This will then dissolve the adhesives holding the decking together and eventually make your roof sag and warp. Get in touch with your local roofing  company as soon as possible to have this problem inspected.

3. Ice Dams

During the winter months, your attic may also become a catalyst for ice dams. As heat coming from the living areas of your home rises up to the attic, it causes snow to melt the deepest layer of snow on your roof. The runoff then reaches the roof’s edge, where it will freeze again due to the cold temperatures. From there, ice dams form, stopping melted snow from draining off through the gutters. Proper attic ventilation helps prevent this from happening.

4. Shortened Roof Lifespan

Expect your roof to have a shortened lifespan when the attic isn’t well-vented. Too much heat coming from the sun can heat up the attic space, baking the shingles on both sides. Apart from cracking and buckling, some of them may shed protective granules. Eventually, your asphalt shingles and the rest of the roof’s components will start to deteriorate.

When it comes to your attic, always make sure that it is properly ventilated and maintained. Roofing repair contractors like us at Krech Exteriors are here to help you with maintaining a properly ventilated attic. Call us now at (651) 688-6368, or fill out our contact form for a consultation. We serve homeowners in and around St. Paul and Minneapolis.