Checking Attic For Good Ventilation

The smoke test can give you a good idea of your home s existing attic ventilation but it may take a professional roofing contractor to determine if the amount is sufficient or excessive.

Checking attic for good ventilation.

Moreover if you have asphalt shingles on the roof attic. That cuts cooling costs and prolongs shingle life. This yields a total area of 1 104 square feet. More attic ventilation is good just like properly sizing your furnace and air conditioning unit you want precisely the right amount of attic ventilation for your home.

In the summer good attic ventilation reduces heat buildup. Good ventilation allows the heat and moisture to escape. In the winter warm moist air seeps into the attic from the living space below. You may notice a theme here.

An attic reflects the history of a home. Good places to check include windows doors and around cable phone or internet lines that run through walls. Attic ventilation gets blamed for a lot of problems that often are not caused by ventilation but rather deeper issues. Another important element of attic ventilation is protection for the roof s shingle.

Heat in the attic can roast shingles from below causing them to wear prematurely. Let s look at the following example. The result is a cooler attic space with plenty of air exchange. You can also contact your local municipality to check on building code in your area.

Most building codes require a ratio of 1 150 ventilation space to attic floor space. It can provide clues to serious problems that might not be disclosed or even known by the current owner. Jones has an attic space that measures 23 feet by 48 feet. Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents.

How to check attic ventilation. Insufficient ventilation can lead to moisture problems during the winter and decreased energy efficiency during the summer but too much ventilation can be just as bad if not worse. Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves allow cool. Attic inspections aren t usually foremost on a homebuyer s mind but there are a lot of good reasons for them to get up there or send their home inspector to take a look around.

To avoid rotting wood clumping insulation and mold your attic needs to be properly ventilated. How to determine whether you need better attic ventilation.