We’re all tired of the long winter, but the good news is snow and ice can be handy indicators of how well your home is containing heat. Walk outside and look at your roof to determine if your home needs insulation or ventilation work. Compare your roof to your neighbors’, and the pictures below. A properly vented and insulated attic will stay covered with snow long after other roofs are clear. That’s because the heat from the interior of the home is being contained by insulation rather than escaping to the roof deck, where it can cause snow and ice to melt.
In cold weather, the primary purpose of roof ventilation is to maintain a cold roof temperature to avoid ice dams created by melting snow, and to vent any moisture that moves from the conditioned living space to the attic. Ice dams develop when snow melts, often due to attic heat build-up, and then refreezes at the roof’s edges. This can allow more water to build up behind the ice dam, leading to severe leaks and damage to roofing, insulation, ceilings and more. Another danger is the build-up of condensation in the attic that could result in a leaky roof, mold or ruined floors.
On top of these problems, the warranty on your roofing system can become void if you don’t vent your roof properly. Adding insulation and vents to the attic floor and walls might sound simple, but things get complicated when you factor in recessed lighting, ductwork, skylights and other protrusions in the attic. This work is always best left to Columbus, Ohio, roofing professionals.
Muth & Company, the most trusted Columbus roofers, would be happy to perform a professional analysis of your roof insulation and ventilation system. We can provide insulation, seal air leaks and make roof and other kinds of necessary repairs. Call us today at (614) 882-0900 to get started.