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Does Your Home Need Roof Ventilation?

June 10, 2020 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Do You Really Need Roof Ventilation?

You’re probably aware that most attic and roofs are vented. Maybe you’re also aware of the ridge vent that’s at the peak of your roof. However, what you may not be aware of is that some homes may not have enough ventilation or don’t have any ventilation at all. Now, you may be asking if a roof ventilation system is even necessary? Roof ventilation helps keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, therefore giving your roof a longer lifespan and a much lower risk of roof damages. A well-designed roof ventilation system also helps eliminate moisture in your attic and crawl spaces by allowing cool, dry air to enter while exhausting out the warm, moist air. Your local roofing contractors know that in order to stay healthy, your home actually needs to breathe just like you do! Allowing your home to breathe will help prevent damp and deter dangerous mold growth in your attic and crawl spaces.

Why Are Roof Vents Needed?

If you have an attic, an unheated space in the basement or an upper floor attached to the roof, ventilation is necessary to help correct air conditioning of your area. In summer, your roof’s ventilation helps cool the roof and underlying water barrier materials, reducing the expansion of the metal and slows the aging of asphalt shingles, which suffer from the heat. That’s not all though; roof vents are crucial in winter too. By keeping your roof cool, you can prevent snow from melting on top of the roof and freezing again in your rain gutters where they would create an ice dam that can cause leaks and water damage. Even if there are no leaks, additional weight can cause structural damage to your roof. The vents prevent this by circulating the coldest air from the eaves through the vent in the roof peak.

Extend The Life Of Your Roof

Have you ever seen icicles build up on the edge of roofs and gutters? This ice buildup is known as ice damming. You can see the icicles, but you can’t see the damage that they’re doing to the edge of your roof. Ice damming happens when heat from inside your attic combines with heat from the sun to melt snow and ice on your warm roof. When the resulting water runs to the edge of your roof, it begins to refreeze. As the ice and water build up at the edges of the roof, it can back up behind/underneath the roofing materials, causing damage to your whole roof system, your attic and even inside the walls of your home.

Proper ventilation helps warm air escape before it has a chance to melt the snow and ice on your roof. A well-vented roof can be easy to see in the wintertime. It will still have snow on the roof, but there will not be an icicle in sight.

Ventilation will benefit a roof when it’s hot outside as well. When the outside temperature rises, the temperature on your roof can be nearly double that. A hot roof over a poorly vented attic will give you a very hot attic.

The reason for this is that unventilated or poorly ventilated attics don’t have an escape route for the heat that builds up. This buildup of heat can damage your shingles from the inside out. An evenly vented roof will allow the hot air to escape keeping your roof and attic cooler.

Reducing Energy Costs

When the temperature increases outside, everyone wishes to shelter away and stay cool inside. A properly vented roof allows the heat to escape, thereby reducing the workload on your air conditioner. An air conditioner that’s running less means you will have a lower electric bill.

Reduces Indoor Temperature Extremes

Have you ever walked upstairs and thought it was at least 10 degrees warmer than it was in your living room? These indoor temperature extremes are often the result of poorly vented roofs. Once your roof is adequately vented to allow the hot air to escape and the cool air enter the attic space, your home will be more comfortable year-round.

Attic Vents Control Moisture & Temperature

When air stagnates in the attic, moisture tends to condense out and settle on the framing and insulation. This provides a perfect environment for mold and rot to set in. Mold loves to grow in damp attic insulation, and damp insulation has a tendency to clump, which reduces its effectiveness. Rot affects the framing and the roof decking, and the end result can be a sagging roof. Sagging roofs leak, which worsens the moisture problem in the attic and creates a big problem in living areas below.

The Proper Attic Ventilation

Soffit vents, which are grids that fit over holes you cut in the soffits, come in different sizes. On some aluminum or vinyl soffit systems, the vents are integrated into soffit panels. Since the roof line and soffit form a corner in the attic, you usually have to fit baffles over the soffit vents, running up along the roof sheathing beneath the insulation. These are cardboard or plastic air passageways that you fasten to the underside of the roof decking. They prevent insulation from blocking the vents and keep air flowing freely.

Ridge vents are the most economical roof vents. A roof’s ridge vent is a continuous vent that runs along the peak of a sloped roof. It is usually covered with shingles to match the rest of the roof. You can also choose a number of vent styles that open directly onto the roof deck. Care should be taken to make sure that the vent openings aren’t covered by snow in the winter as this will seriously hinder their functionality. If your house accommodates them, you can also satisfy the roof vent area requirement by installing gable vents that penetrate the siding and open into the unheated attic space. You have to exercise some care when designing a ventilation system to ensure uniform circulation throughout the attic, especially in corners and behind obstacles.

The Flat Roof Vent System

Whichever roof ventilation system you select, you will want to make sure that you preserve the integrity of your roof. If you install a turbine or other ventilation duct across the roof surface, you must ensure that it includes enough solenoid and sealant to prevent water from flowing into the home and causing moisture problems. A ridge vent will have to be fixed on the roof, the asphalt fabric, the minimal roll or the metal. It is necessary to provide the room with circulating air under the roof covering.

How Does Roof Ventilation Work?

A roof ventilation system works by providing continuous flow of air through your attic space, helping remove overheated air and moisture from the attic and roof system and reduce the impact of changing temperatures and moisture conditions both inside and outside the home. The system that allows the ventilation of air to take place consist of intake vents and exhaust vents installed at strategic intervals in the attic or roof area. Several different types of vents may be used in different locations to provide ventilation for the attic or roof area. Several different types of vents may be used in different locations to provide for attic air to circulate in the right amounts and directions throughout the roofing system.

A good local roofing company knows that correct design and construction of the roof ventilation system is critical. The roof’s design should provide plenty of open air space for insulation and air flow under the roof and eaves. And, a correctly designed system will precisely balance the intake and exhaust ventilation under the roof so that the attic is slightly pressurized, preventing conditioned air from being sucked out too quickly through the vents, thereby increasing heating and cooling costs.

What Happens If Your Attic Is Not Vented?

Any professional local roofing contractors will tell you that proper attic ventilation is crucial to keep the air flowing through your attic, rather than simply letting it sit. Ventilation essentially helps outside air pass through and out of your attic, removing excess heat and moisture from the air of your attic as it does so. Air is taken in through areas like your soffits and eaves and is exhausted through the roof at your ridge cap or by a roof vent. This helps create the right air balance in your attic, which plays an important role in keeping your home healthy and comfortable to be in.

How Much Attic Ventilation Do You Need?

Since most roofs are under ventilated, many people have no idea just how much roof ventilation they need, or what kind of purchase. The FHA recommends that you have 1 square foot of attic exhaust (both intake and exhaust) for every 300 square feet of attic square.

When there is a lack of ventilation it can cause a whole host of problems in and around your home. Depending on the climate that you live in, lack of proper ventilation can have a serious impact on your energy bills and the lifespan of things like your roof.

If your home lacks sufficient ventilation, it can create a super heated attic. Without the air moving through the space, the air trapped inside starts to heat up with the sun beating down on the roof. This heat then transfers itself through the floor of your attic and begins to warm the rooms of your home. This in turn leads to higher energy bills as your fans and AC work to combat it. Another issue with the fact that your attic is becoming superheated is the lifespan of your roof shingles. The heat from your attic won’t just be transferred down into your living space; it will also be transferred back to the roof itself. This causes the shingles to become overheated, essentially frying them and decreasing their lifespan.

The heat transfer from a super heated attic can damage a lot more than your roof and your energy bills. It can also warp the wood framing in your attic, which in turn can warp walls and door frames, as well as transfer down the walls to blister your paint and wallpaper.

Moisture Build Up 

The summer isn’t the only time you need to worry about a lack of attic ventilation. During the winter the steam from your shower, clothes dryer, and pots and pans can all get trapped in the attic where it condenses. This condensation can drip back down onto your insulation, rendering it less effective. It can also lead to the growth of mold and mildew in your attic and in your insulation where it can harm your family’s health.

Condensation and excess moisture can also form on your eaves and soffits, driving moisture back under your roof and forming ice dams that can cause leaks as well. Proper ventilation keeps the air moving all year long, which moves moisture out of the attic before it can condense.

Summary

Proper ventilation is essential to the well-being of your home and everyone within. If you are concerned that your roof is lacking sufficient ventilation or you have noticed some of the issues mentioned here in your home, you should contact professional local roofing contractors to have a look and let you know what your options are. Call 518-444-ROOF and we will be happy to help you address any concerns you may have.

Filed Under: Attic Ventilation, Ridge Vent Problem, Ridge Vents, Roof, Roof Ventilation System, Roofing, Roofing Materials Tagged With: attic damp, attic mold, attic vents, moisture buildup, ridge vents, roof ventilation system

Finding Roof Leaks

October 10, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

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Leaking roofs can become a challenge for many homeowners. It happens in the most inconvenient times and they can lead to significant damage to the interior of your home. The effects of leakage can linger long after the repair has been made in the form of mold growth on the interior surfaces of your home. Sometimes trying to figure out the source of the roof leak can be much more challenging. Mainly for the reason that the source of the leak on the outside of the home rarely matches the leak that appears on the inside of the home. Therefore, leading to frustration for the homeowner who is attempting to repair it. Locating the source of a roof leak is definitely not an exact science. It’s more of a process of elimination since a roof leak can happen for many different reasons and there is not always a direct result of one specific problem associated with your roof.  

Identifying Roofing System Leaks

When there are signs of water damage or dripping water coming from the ceiling that is directly below an attic space or directly below the roof surface itself, the true cause is most likely a hole or some type of damage in the shingles or other roofing material that makes up the roofing system. When there is active water dripping, it might come out brown or dirty when it’s coming from your roof. This is happening because the water that is making its way into your home is picking up dirt and impurities on the way. During the winter season, if your ceiling is leaking or seems damaged it could be the presence of ice buildup along the eaves of your house. This means that more than likely, you have ice dams that are causing the water to back up under the shingles and down onto the ceiling. Ice dams mainly appear on the edges of the roof so the leaking would often be near the edge of the room or even on the surface of the walls, since the water may be dripping directly down into the walls.

 Causes of Roof Leaks

As stated before, leaking roofs can happen out of nowhere and they can become extremely frustrating. They can happen on a newly installed roof or an aged one. Roofing materials such as shingles get old and worn. The change in temperatures can cause an aging roofing system to turn brittle and eventually crack. During the summer weather, the harsh rays from direct sunlight can melt the tar that holds the composition of the shingles together within a number of years.

Brick chimneys may seem indestructible, however, what binds the bricks together is a working mixture of water, sand, and cement. When exposed to natural weathering it can gradually be destroyed and crumble over time. Therefore, you should check the mud cap on top of the chimney for any deterioration. If you have a chimney, flashing is one of the most common issues on a roof. Flashing is thin strips of metal that are installed at a danger point for leaks around a roof. Chimneys are bent at a 90-degree angle in order to attach to both the roofing material and the brick of a chimney. When it comes to flashing it needs to be properly sealed to protect against water intrusion. It also needs to remain nailed in place because the metal can rust and crack.  

Clogged gutters are another cause of leaking roofs. The reason being that gutters are meant to prevent any water from building up in your roof by leading the water into the downspout and out away from your home. Therefore, when your gutters are clogged it becomes a problem. Especially if it’s left untreated for a long time. When the gutter is left filled with water it starts to cause the gutter and metal sides of the roof to rust, making it weaker as each day passes and making the gutter more prone to tearing a hole in the entire roof. The wooden part of your roof starts to develop mold, fungus or eventually it would start to rot because the roof was left soaking in water. When that happens in a matter of time the underlying material and ceiling end up affected and bringing leakage. Water more than likely would seep into the insides of your home. 

Attic condensation can cause roof leaks as well, especially during the winter. Attic condensation is uncommon, however, some people may mistake ice dams for attic condensation during the winter. Homeowners might call their local roofing company and have the ice dams removed and yet still have continuous leakage. In that case, the issue would most likely be attic condensation. The problem would stem from water vapor from inside your home, making its way into your attic. When that warm vapor cools, the moisture starts to combine into big, damaging droplets all over the wooden surfaces in your attic. When that happens it eventually causes enough condensation that causes visible leaks and other problems.  

Finding Roof Leaks

Leaking roofs are caused by numerous things and trying to find where the leaks are coming from can be an easy situation, but it can also be one of the most difficult things to find.  Going up to the roof is one of the first things to do in order to track down the cause of the issue. When looking, be sure to look for any roof penetration. The reason is that items that penetrate the roof are the most common cause of leaks. It’s pretty rare to have any leaks from uninterrupted shingles, even with older roofs. Penetrations can occur from roof vents, chimneys, or anything else that projects through the roof. If you have an attic, the easiest way to find a leak is to go up with a flashlight and look for the evidence. There definitely would be water stains, black marks, or mold. However, if there is an issue with getting into the attic your best bet is to go up the roof and examine the issue. Sometimes there are leaks that are difficult to find, however, you can find it by first having someone help with a garden hose on the roof. Start by soaking the area above where the leak appears in the house. However, if the water doesn’t seem to reveal with that method, start removing shingles in the suspected area. Doing that would provide evidence of the leak and therefore you would be able to track it right to the source. You would be able to see some discolored felt paper or water stain or even rotted wood directly below and around a leaky roof. 

If you have an attic and you’re looking for leaks you can use a flashlight and point it toward the underside of the roof. The light would reflect when hitting the water, making it much easier for you to see any water. The flashlight would also help you see any punctures or holes in the roof.  

Finding Flat Roof Leaks

Compared to all other leaking roofs, finding the source of a leak on a flat roof can be quite challenging. Water travels in a downward motion which helps provide some clues to where you can locate a sloped roof leak, however, with flat roofing the water can travel in any direction. In order to determine exactly where the leak is located, getting up on the roof to examine it in dry weather is your best bet. You can inspect the flat roofing surface for any signs of a leak such as a low spot surrounded by a dirt-stained ring which is from a pooling of water.  This is what is known as a dry puddle. These are very very common on flat roofs. Once you find a dry puddle you will often be able to find the leak, right there in the center. 

Another common cause of flat leaking roofs is flashing which is the same for any other roof. Flashing is thin pieces of sheet metal, or sometimes a different material, that is used on steep angular joins on raised or protruding areas of the roof, like chimneys. It is used to help seal, waterproof and prevent any water from entering the premises. Flashing can peel and crack as well as get holes. Therefore, that is something that should be checked in order to avoid any leakage. What can also happen is when we have periods of intense heat over the years, the top material can start to bubble up and develop a crack making it another potential source of a leak. In order to make sure the area that you suspect is the source of the leak, just like other leak tests, take a hose up to the roof and spray the area before returning inside to see if the water drips inside near the spot, or you can have a friend help you with this. If this is something that you feel that you wouldn’t want to do yourself, local flat roofing contractors are your best bet. Many commercial roof repair companies have well trained flat roofing specialists that know exactly how to get the job done very efficiently. Therefore, hiring local flat roofing contractors would be a lot more convenient than you and your friend doing it yourselves.

Roof Leak Repair

Some people would rather repair their own roofs when they have leakage. However, the safest way is to contact local roof repair companies. Roof repair companies have a specialist that would repair any damages. As well as for the fact that they are trained in roofing they would know the cause and be able to give you the right information and prevent any future leaks. However, if a roof repair company is not something you would want to go with, fixing it yourself would be the way to go. Roof leak repair is not an easy job, it requires some steps. That is why we recommend when it comes to a roof leak repair to go with a roofing company. 

Remember that there could be more than one source of the leak which could be leading water into one low spot underneath the roofing material. Any other issues of repair that happens to be identified during your examination, whether it’s not resulting in a leak yet should be repaired sooner than later. Just so that any future problems can be avoided and become less of a hassle for you as a homeowner.  

Filed Under: Ridge Vent, Ridge Vent Leak, Ridge Vent Problem Tagged With: commercial roof repair, flat roof leaks, flat roofing contractors, leaking Roofs

Roof Decking: Rotting & Corrosion

July 18, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Roof Decking - Roof Rotting

Owning a home is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding responsibilities a person can have. You get the chance to establish a sanctuary for you and your family that provides the protection and comfort you desire. However, this can all be put at risk when you begin to notice issues with your roof such as a couple of wet spots on your ceiling. This may be your first home and may have never even looked at a roof’s foundation before let alone knowing where to begin. You go up to your attic to investigate, and come upon a distinct musty smell of mold. Signs would point to a roof leak, and one of the main causes usually would be roof rotting or roof corrosion if you own a metal roof. What do you do? You may not be an expert in roof contracting, but that is why certified experts like us at Infinite Roofing are here to help you get back to living with the protection and comfort you deserve. 

What is Roof Decking?

When talking about roof rotting, we are talking about the roof decking or sheathing of the home. The roof decking plays a pivotal role in determining the safety and structural integrity of your roof.

Roof decking is the foundation of your roofing system. It is the base layer that connects the roof to the home. The roof deck is placed between the structural components, such as the trusses and joists, and the insulation/weatherproofing layers. When it comes to your roof rotting, you want to take all the steps necessary to ensure the health of your 

Roof Decking Materials

Roof deck materials come as 4 x 8 sheets in a variety of different material options. The most common type of roof deck material is plywood, which comes as either OSB (Oriented Strand Board) or CDX (C to D Exposed). Other roof decking materials include steel, concrete, and cement. The main determinant of the type of material you should use is based on the amount of weight that the roof deck will need to carry, plus the weight of air conditioning equipment, rain and snow. For most residential projects the common choice of roof deck materials are OSB or CDX plywood. For commercial projects, steel, concrete, and cement are more commonly found in the roof deck. These materials are definitely interchangeable depending on your project requirements, however for now let us focus on three main materials; OSB, CDX, and steel.

OSB Plywood

OSB (Oriented Strand Board) was originated in the late 1970s as an extended use of waferboards. It separates itself from other wood-scrap materials because the long strips of wood are placed strategically instead of randomly, hence the name “oriented” because the wood strips are oriented strategically to improve the strength qualities from the waferboard. OSB Plywood is made from heat-cured adhesives and rectangular-shaped wood strands that are arranged in cross-oriented layers. Because OSB uses small wood strands for production, it is considerably less expensive than standard plywood. When produced in large, continuous sheets, the OSB is a sold-panel of consistent quality with a few voids or gaps. OSB Plywood is more susceptible to absorbing moisture and swelling up than CDX, due to the release of compaction stress in OSB created during the pressing of wood chips into the panels. Swollen OSB will remain permanent, to a degree, causing leaks, increasing decay, and creating uplift of whatever materials lie above. 

CDX Plywood

CDX (Class C to D Exposed) Plywood is the lowest class of plywood and is often used in the construction industry or as a base to create other materials. Plywood is made from thin layers of wood that are peeled from a spinning log, called veneers, that are cross-laminated and glued together with a hot press. Throughout the thickness of the sheet, the grain of each layer is laid perpendicular to the adjacent layer. The final product is an odd number of layers so that the balance is maintained around the center. Since CDX is made from whole layers of logs as opposed to small strands, the plywood is much more consistent and has a less rough appearance than OSB. CDX is lighter than OSB, retains nails and screws better than OSB, and produces less swelling when exposed to water and will return to its normal thickness after drying. This feature alone is enough for roofing contractors to prefer using CDX Plywood over OSB for their roof sheathing.

Steel

Steel or Metal Roof Decks have been around since the 1930s/40s. The Steel Deck Institute (SDI) has been the biggest force in setting the standard when it comes to the design, manufacture, quality control and construction practices applied to cold-formed steel decking. The steel deck is roll-formed from structural quality sheet steel and is made to span over the roof joists or purlins to provide a flat surface to apply the weatherproof roofing. The variations in its thickness, shape, and depth can be used to meet the variety of loading requirements and spans. The steel deck’s versatility also allows for it to be used in more unusual configurations that may be sloped or curved. Steel decks are usually more costly than materials like plywood however, they provide increased longevity, durability, and a better strength-to-weight ratio backed by years of proven satisfaction in the roofing industry. Steel decks are more commonly used for flat roofing systems, which are typically used for commercial roofing projects.

How Can I Tell When My Roof Is Rotting/Corroding?

As a homeowner, you want to do anything that you can to keep your home safe from the elements of mother nature. Your first line of defense is your roof, so how can you tell when your front line is starting to deteriorate?

First things first, is it even safe for you to check your roof? We do not recommend grabbing a ladder and going on your roof to do an inspection. According to the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons, last year there were about 500,000 ladder-related injuries due mainly to homeowners trying to clean out their gutters or perform their own roof inspections/repairs. Our team of certified roofing contractors have specific equipment and years of experience in doing roof inspections safely and thoroughly and will provide a free, no-obligation estimate for any repairs or replacements needed.

With that being said, there still are some telltale signs that you as the homeowner can check for yourself to see if an estimate would be needed. 

Rotted Roof Deck
Rotted Roof Deck

Roof Rotting

Here is a list of signs that your roof deck may be damaged or rotting:

  • Shingles curling, cracking, or buckling
  • Missing shingles
  • Holes in the roof
  • Mold or mildew in the attic
  • Spongy feel when walking on the roof
  • Granular wear to shingles
  • Damage around chimneys, pipes, and other penetrations to the structure.
  • Wet spots on your ceiling
  • Sudden increase in electric bill

There are some DIY inspections that you as a homeowner can do to find the beginning signs of roof deck damage.

  1. Attic Inspection: Carefully make your way up to your attic and check for any signs of rotting wood. Do you see any signs of staining or moisture on any of the plywood or insulation? Can you feel any dampness in the wood? Is there a musty mold smell lingering? Can you find any holes, possibly made by a new furry neighbor? Is your attic fan and ventilation system free of dust & debris and circulating the air properly?

  2. Ground Check: You can take a trip outside and stand in front of your home to view your roof from the outside. Are there signs of curling or missing shingles? Can you notice any sagging or structural integrity issues with your roof? 

  3. Research Roof’s Age: Severe weather or a poor ventilation system can decrease the life expectancy of your roof. If your roof is more than 20 years old, it’s a good idea to reach out for a professional roof inspection.

Roof Deck Corrosion

Roof deck corrosion occurs when using steel for your roof deck construction and has been exposed to water either from a hole created from severe weather or poor roof or insulation installation causing gaps between the roofing and insulation and allowing for water exposure.

WARNING: We do not recommend walking on a damaged metal roof structure. Corroding metal roof decking can cause structural instability which can lead to the roof collapsing if too much weight is put on the structure, leading to injury. Please refrain from having work done on units on your roof if you suspect instability in your roofing structure.

Some visible signs include:

  • Visible rusting in roof deck
  • Pieces of roof deck missing or falling from structure
  • Wet or damp insulation
  • Holes/leaks in roof

If you believe that your metal roof decking may be damaged, immediately have a professional roofing contractor, e.g. Infinite Roofing, come do a thorough and safe inspection of the roof. 

So What Do I Do? Repair or Replace?

Rotted or corroded roof decks, whether made of plywood, steel or any other material, cannot be repaired and must be replaced. Contact your local certified roofing contractors and set up an appointment to have the damaged roof deck to be replaced.

Our professional roofing contractors here at Infinite Roofing would replace the rotted roof decking, along with the top of the line GAF and Versico accessory products to help prevent further roof deck rotting or corroding such as:

  • Lifetime Roofing Shingles
  • Proper Attic Ventilation
  • Proper Roof Deck Protection
  • Ice & Water Barriers
  • Starter Strip Shingles
  • Ridge Cap Shingles

Adding these top of the line products will increase the longevity and durability of your roof decking. When it comes to protecting the welfare of your home and family, you want to have the best certified roofing contractors and products out there. Here at Infinite Roofing, that is exactly what we intend to provide for you.

Filed Under: Gutters, Hail, Metal Roofing, Repair, Ridge Vent Leak, Ridge Vent Problem, Roof, Roof Replacement, Roof Shingles Tagged With: residential roofing, roof decks, roof leaks, roof sheathing, roofing, roofing contractors

Is your roof leaking? Could the ridge vent be the problem?

June 21, 2019 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

Do you have a roof leak and can’t figure out what the problem may be? Don’t assume that a faulty roof or the shingles may be the problem and that you may need a full roof replacement. Faulty ridge vents can contribute to the problem and can lead to moisture issues. Fixing a leak quickly is important because if not fixed it can cause more problems down the line.

What are ridge vents?

You may wonder what exactly is a ridge vent and where does it fall in the equation of a roof leaking?

Ridge vents are critical to the attics health, they are a part of the attics ventilation system and helps circulate the air. They also usher moisture (in winter and summer) and hot air (during the summer) that would otherwise lead to damage. It is a metal capping that allows hot air to escape from the attic, the ventilation allows the attic to stay dry, free from any moisture and also prevents it from damaging your insulation. When getting a roof installation a ridge vent will be the last thing that will be placed on the structure and for that reason, a ridge vent leak can occur. Many time the fasteners that are used for the ridge vent aren’t secured properly

Inspect the Attic

Go up to the attic during daylight. Keep the lights off and look up at the roof to see if there is any light coming through. Diffused light is normal, but a beam of light may be the cause of a leak. Then, use a flashlight to examine the ridge vent. Look for moisture or water stains. Water stains may be from an old leak.

Another good time to inspect the attic is when it is raining. Be sure to notice where the water is coming from, because it may be channeled from another area on the roof before dripping down into the attic.

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Air Circulation Problems

If you don’t see any leaks, you may have a one-time problem with rain or snow being blown in by heavy winds. Another problem can be a lack of ventilation in the attic. If the air is not circulated, you may get a problem with condensation, which mimics a roof leak.

Most Albany roofing contractor recommends that a roof should be inspected at least ones a year to prevent a ridge vent problem from creating bigger trouble and more damage than it would if it was to be. A strong gust of wind can pop up the ridge vent cap and if not taken care of immediately as rain, snow and even ice dams can cause your roof to leak. The process if inspecting the roof can be done by the homeowner or a professional

Repairing leaking ridge vents

Avoiding problems with ridge vents leak is easy when you schedule an annual roof inspection. During the evaluation, the Albany roofing contractor will not only assess the condition of the ridge vents, but he will also identify issues with shingle wear, damaged flashing and more.

If you feel that crawling around on your roof is a risky and perhaps dangerous job; you are exactly right. There are professionals that will inspect your roof and look for a ridge vent leak for only a minimal cost. These professionals will inspect various other common problems that may occur, as well.

Let the professionals do their job and call Infinite Roofing for an inspection to make sure that there is no ridge vent problem with your roof!

Filed Under: Algae, Gutters, Hail, insurance, Metal Roofing, Repair, Ridge Vent Leak, Ridge Vent Problem, Roof, Roof Replacement, Roof Shingles, Siding, Skylight, Tax, Tax Return, Tips, Uncategorized, Wind Damage

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