You might think of your roof as a completely sealed unit, but ventilation is vital for the general protection and well-being of your property. Most homeowners tend to focus on insulation, which is important for savings energy costs and staying warm, ventilation cannot be ignored or there can be serious problems.
Damp and Condensation
A lack of ventilation in a roof can lead to big issues with damp arising from condensation. Condensation happens when warmer, moist air meets a colder surface and can happen when warm air rises into the cooler spaces of your attic. Water can form on the joists and the floor, leading to a damp environment. If you need the health of your roof evaluated, don’t hesitate to contact Cheltenham Roofers at http://hempstedroofing.com/gloucester-roofers/
Damp can be very harmful for both the appearance of your home and for health reasons. Condensation forming in the roof space from improper ventilation can cause:
Damage to fixtures and joists
Damage to insulation materials caused by damp
Woodwork can begin to rot away
Interior damage such as peeling wallpaper, bubbling plaster and paint
Mould can begin to grow which is ugly and bad for respiratory health
Condensation is a major problem for modern homes due to the way we use energy and heating, appliances and insulation materials. The ‘greener’ we become, the more ways we seek to retain heat through insulating cavities and double glazing for example. As warm air rises, it has nowhere to escape except through the roof. During the winter, when the doors are shut, and the heating is on, the condensation issue becomes worse. As the warm air hits the colder unheated air of the loft, condensation forms.
This is why ventilation is crucial. So, you can let some of that warm air escape and draw in some colder air from outside. This helps to equalise the temperature in the roof space, reducing the amount of condensation forming.
One way to do this is to install vents along the ridges and in the eaves. The ridges offer an escape route for warm air, while the vents in the eaves draw in cold air from outside. This creates a healthy air flow around a roof space and lessens the chances of excess condensation forming.
Modern living presents a dilemma in that we want our homes to be highly energy efficient and money-saving, so will insulate thoroughly. However, in doing this, we need to understand the consequences and the potential problems caused by trapped warm air and condensation. That is why adequate ventilation should always be one of your priorities along with insulation.
