The Importance of Attic Ventilation

In this day and age, it’s all about building energy efficient homes. We put a lot of emphasis on insulation, especially in attics. Sufficient attic insulation is a key aspect of maintaining a comfortable and energy efficient home. But believe it or not, it is just as important to allow for a certain degree of airflow into the attic space. It may seem counter productive to purposely allow air to flow in and out of the attic space after putting in all that nice insulation. However, proper attic ventilation plays a crucial role in preserving the integrity of your home and ensuring the well-being of its occupants.

Having inspected thousands of homes, we have certainly seen what can happen when attics are not well ventilated. Trust us – sometimes it’s not pretty!

What is Attic Ventilation?

Attic ventilation is the system of intake and exhaust that creates air flow through the attic. The attic space should generally have vents placed at a lower location, such as along the soffits, and then at a high location, usually along the ridge of the roof.

Soffit Vents

The soffit/ridge vent combination is one of the most common configurations we see. But there are other vent options such as gable vents, box vents (shown below), turbine vents, cupola vents, etc.

When vents are configured properly, the stack effect will cause air to continuously circulate in and out of the space. This means that when warm air travels upward, the air pressure increases at the top of the attic, simultaneously decreasing the pressure at the lower portion.

Because particles in a high pressure environment want to travel to lower pressures, the air will naturally exit through the ridge vent. And now that the pressure is lower in the bottom of the attic, air will enter from the soffit vents. The forces of wind will also help to create pressure differentials that promote this cyclical airflow.

Why Do I Need Attic Ventilation?

Ok, so now we know what attic ventilation is, but why is it so important?

1. Temperature Regulation. Attics are usually unconditioned spaces. So during the summer, temperatures have the potential of reaching extremes. Attic ventilation allows excess hot air to escape, bringing the space down to a more moderate temp. This helps to prevent any heat related damage that could affect the roofing components, such as warping, cracking, deterioration, etc. Additionally, ventilation helps to reduce the strain on your home’s cooling system, which could otherwise be affected by extreme attic temperatures.

2. Moisture Control. Moisture buildup is another threat to the well-being of your attic space. Excess water can cause a number of issues, including mold and mildew growth, wood rot, structural damage, or insulation damage. Proper ventilation helps to alleviate any harmful moisture accumulation. If you want to see what too much moisture can do to an attic, check out the photos below. Yikes, that’s a lot of mold!

3. Prevention of Ice Dams. Ice dams are a common issue found in colder climates. These occur when there is a temperature differential across the the roof’s surface. Heat from the attic will melt accumulated snow on the upper parts of the roof. The melted snow then runs down to the colder eaves of the roof where it refreezes and builds up, thus creating an ice dam. This can lead to water-damaged roofing components and even leaking into the attic space. With the right amount of ventilation (and insulation), there will be a uniform temperature across the surface of the roof, reducing the potential for ice dams.

Image sourced from: https://www.owenscorning.com

4. Improved Indoor Air Quality. Without sufficient airflow in the attic, contaminants and pollutants can build up in the space. Over time, this air can make its way down into the living space, degrading the in-home air quality. Ventilation promotes a consistent air exchange, helping to flush out stale air and cycle in fresh air.

As you can see, letting in a little air flow can go a long way! Proper attic ventilation can help prolong the lifespan of your roof, improve indoor air quality, and save you money on energy costs.

Inspecting for Attic Ventilation

At Scott Home Inspection, we know how important it is to have solid attic ventilation. That’s why during our standard inspections, we utilize a multi-tiered process to evaluate the ventilation situation.

First, our inspectors will walk the exterior of the property, observing the eaves of the roof in search of vents and/or any signs of insufficient ventilation (i.e. ice dams). Next, they will walk the roof when accessible. We are looking out for any visible signs of damage or warping on the roof. We will also take note of the style of vents, if any are present. Finally, the inspector will enter the attic space. This is where they can observe the sheathing and structural aspects of the roof. The insulation also needs to be evaluated for any signs of damage. When combining these steps together, our inspectors can generally draw very accurate conclusions about the attic ventilation.

It is our mission to help Colorado families live in safe, healthy, and comfortable homes. So whether we are evaluating your attic or any other aspect of your home, we do so with honesty and integrity. If you are in need of a home inspection, we hope that you will consider Scott Home Inspection!

For more information, feel free to visit us online or contact us to book you inspection today!