It seems counterintuitive, doesn’t it? We want warm air to stay in our home in the winter or cool in the summer, so why do our attics need to be ventilated? Why essentially cut holes in a structure that’s filled with insulation—insulation that has the singular function of keeping temperatures in? 

While it may seem quite strange, attic ventilation is an important part of maintaining your roof’s health. While roofers everywhere may disagree on what kind of ventilation, exactly, is necessary, we at Perfect Exteriors, as certified roofing contractors, know this to be true. We’ll explain why below.

Moisture Issues Result From Improperly Ventilated Attics

When your roof isn’t allowed to “breathe,” so to speak, moisture will quickly accumulate. Whether this be the result of wintertime frost not fully evaporating or water-laden air rising from your living space and being unable to leave, the ultimate result is the same: with poor ventilation, you get a wet attic.

While water on its own generally isn’t too much of an issue when it comes to many of your home’s facets, take it from an exterior contractor: it’s not something you want setting up shop above your head. Home exterior contractors fix countless wet-attic problems each year, which can include

  • A roof deck that’s rotting right through. This wooden part of your roof plays a crucial role in the integrity of the structure as a whole. When water gets its hands on your roof deck, rot can result, weakening your roofing from the inside out. If you fear this is the case with your home, have a residential roofing contractor assess it ASAP. A failing roof is not an issue to be taken lightly.
  • Nails that begin to rust. Certain types of metal facets used in the making of your roof are subject to rust in damp conditions. Seeing as these are lynch pins of the entire structure, it’s best to keep moisture out of your attic, lest you want what holds your roof together to turn to red dust.
  • Insulation that can no longer perform. Just like a wet sweatshirt won’t keep you warm, damp insulation won’t do that for your home. Water in your attic can mean that your family freezes in the winter or roasts in the summer—and we won’t even talk about the sky-high energy bills.

Contact Perfect Exteriors Today for Customer-Focused Exterior Home Contractors

Is your attic a little too soaked to be safe? Get Monticello’s best roofing professionals on the scene ASAP and ensure the wellbeing of your roof, family, and pocketbook. Give us a call today at 763-271-8700.