One of the most neglected parts of a house is the roof. Perhaps the reason is that unlike other areas of our home, we do not often see the roof in our daily routine. Yet, undertaking a roof repair or replacement requires substantial budget on our part, which is why taking care of our roof should never be neglected.

The most common reason for roof replacement is damage caused by moisture and its other unwanted effects on the roof. Maintaining proper roof ventilation is, therefore, crucial in the longevity of your roof regardless of the material used.

Unfortunately, many homeowners are not aware of the importance of roof ventilation. Problems occur because of this ignorance that eventually cost them a lot of money in hiring roofing contractors to repair their roofs. An informed homeowner ensures a comfortable home that has all the ventilation areas covered.

Ventilation Extends Roof Life

Roofs last longer when there is proper ventilation. The importance of ventilation remains the same whether you are ventilating your roof for hot or cold climate. In cold places, proper ventilation avoids a variety of problems, including preventing the formation of ice dam, which occur when ice on the roof melts and refreezes at the edge. Ice dams trap the flow of water downwards and also freeze shingles.

In hot climates, ventilation cools your house by releasing heat in the attic and lessening the load of your air-conditioning system. This lengthens the life of your cooling system and saves you money on energy bills.

Ventilation Eliminates Moisture

An important function of ventilation is the release of moisture that could have collected in the attic or under the roof without proper ventilation. Trapped moisture has unwanted consequences and could lead to serious problems later. A good ventilation presents many benefits – metals subjected to extreme moisture will corrode over time and weaken, necessitating replacement; the roof deck could rot and deteriorate faster because of moisture; and greater chances of fungi and mold infestation when there is lack of proper ventilation.

Remember that a good roof does not only mean properly-laid shingles or tiles, it also requires proper ventilation for the total protection of the roof.

Degrees of Ventilation

The degree of ventilation varies with each roof. Some roofs have complete ventilation while others have limited ventilation only. Those areas of the roof that have limited or no ventilation will suffer from the issues we mentioned above. Homeowners must therefore strive for a complete ventilation in all key areas of the roof to avoid experiencing problems normally associated with improper ventilation.