Checking Attic For Good Ventilation

The smoke test can give you a good idea of your home s existing attic ventilation but it may take a professional roofing contractor to determine if the amount is sufficient or excessive.

Checking attic for good ventilation.

Let s look at the following example. Attic inspections aren t usually foremost on a homebuyer s mind but there are a lot of good reasons for them to get up there or send their home inspector to take a look around. Heat in the attic can roast shingles from below causing them to wear prematurely. Good ventilation allows the heat and moisture to escape.

It s believed that good ventilation in the attic will help prolong the life of shingles by reducing heat which maintains the shingles quality and durability. Attic fans perform this ventilation by pushing hot air out into the environment while also pulling fresh cool air into the attic. It can provide clues to serious problems that might not be disclosed or even known by the current owner. Attic ventilation does not cool your attic substantially nor does attic temperature really matter if the house is fixed from a home performance standpoint.

In the summer good attic ventilation reduces heat buildup. Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents. To avoid rotting wood clumping insulation and mold your attic needs to be properly ventilated. Jones has an attic space that measures 23 feet by 48 feet.

Good places to check include windows doors and around cable phone or internet lines that run through walls. Insufficient ventilation can lead to moisture problems during the winter and decreased energy efficiency during the summer but too much ventilation can be just as bad if not worse. You may notice a theme here. Most building codes require a ratio of 1 150 ventilation space to attic floor space.

Another important element of attic ventilation is protection for the roof s shingle. In the winter warm moist air seeps into the attic from the living space below. How to check attic ventilation. Moreover if you have asphalt shingles on the roof attic.

You can also contact your local municipality to check on building code in your area. More attic ventilation is good just like properly sizing your furnace and air conditioning unit you want precisely the right amount of attic ventilation for your home. Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves allow cool. Attic ventilation gets blamed for a lot of problems that often are not caused by ventilation but rather deeper issues.

How to determine whether you need better attic ventilation. That cuts cooling costs and prolongs shingle life.