Proper Attic Ventilation

Some benefits of removing excess moisture include reducing.

Proper attic ventilation.

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. Ventilation can be accomplished using various products and techniques. If this air lingers it can condense on the underside of the roof sheathing and rot it. 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.

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. How do you pick the right attic vent. If those steps don t solve the problem add more soffit vents following the. Before we explore how to ventilate an attic space it is prudent to understand how much ventilation is needed.

Ventilation of attic spaces is required by most building codes as well as by roofing material manufacturers and the national roofing contractors association nrca. For instance attic ventilation is used widely in cold climates to evacuate the warm moist air that escapes from the living space below. 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. Attic ventilation serves two main functions.

In the winter warm moist air seeps into the attic from the living space below. If you have either ice dams or moisture buildup improve your attic ventilation. The first step is to check out this 60 second video and learn about the 300 1 rule the difference between intake and exhaust ventilation and why proper ventilation is so important to get right to help calculate your attic ventilation needs visit gaf ventilation calculator. That cuts cooling costs and prolongs shingle life.

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. Good ventilation allows the heat and moisture to escape. That keeps your attic dry and reduces ice dams.

To lower attic temperatures and to remove excess moisture. Venting a homes attic is a very important best building practices will say 50 at the ridge and 50 at the soffits unobstructed. 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. 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.

Proper insulation and air sealing also keeps attics cold in winter by blocking the entry of heat and moist air from below.