Proper ventilation extends the lifespan of roofs while saving you money from unnecessary repairs and energy bills. Ventilation in commercial roofing Dallas eliminates moisture, the resulting damage of which is the number one cause of roof replacement. It also cools your house in hot climates that results in net savings on your monthly electric bills.

Proper air circulation is accomplished through the use of roof ventilation. The primary purpose of roof vent is removing moisture and hot air in the attic and areas under the roof by allowing them to escape outside.

Different types and styles of roof vents are available, each of which accomplishes its purpose differently. Some require electric power to function, others use solar energy and wind power, while some work without requiring any power source.

Box Vents. These are made of either metal or hard plastic and referred to as static vents because they have no moving parts. They are installed over cuts made on the roof, preferably on the highest possible area near the ridge to maximize ventilation of hot air and moisture, which rise up and escape through the box vents. Homeowners can select from among different colors to match their roofs.

Off Ridge Vents. These are just variation of the box vents and function similarly. Instead of a box design, this vent style are rectangular in shape.

Ridge Vents. This type of roof vent has no moving parts and does not require electricity to operate. Ridge vents should be installed along the entire length under the roof’s horizontal ridge. An unfinished and relatively unsightly look is created when ridge vents do not run the entire ridge length. Combined with soffit vents, ridge vents are considered the most efficient ventilation system because they create an even distribution of temperature.

Power Vents. These have motors built into them that turn large fans inside the device. Some models come with adjustable thermostats – which turns on the fan when a certain temperature is reached – and humidstat – which detects the level of humidity for automatic trigger. The power vents, being equipped with motors, require electricity to work. Some models, however, are powered by solar energy therefore eliminating the need for electricity.

Wind Turbines. Unlike the static box vent, wind turbine has moving parts when operating but has no motors and uses wind power to move the turbine around. The spinning action of the turbine draws heat and moisture up towards it and out of the roof. Because of the spinning movement, wind turbine is more effective than a box vent in removing hot air and moisture.

Cupola Vents. These are decorative vents found on top of a high ridge and allow hot air and moisture to escape through their openings. Although they function as roof vents, their capability is limited.

One of the most neglected parts of a house is the roof. Perhaps the reason is that unlike other areas of our home, we do not often see the roof in our daily routine. Yet, undertaking a roof repair or replacement requires substantial budget on our part, which is why taking care of our roof should never be neglected.

The most common reason for roof replacement is damage caused by moisture and its other unwanted effects on the roof. Maintaining proper roof ventilation is, therefore, crucial in the longevity of your roof regardless of the material used.

Unfortunately, many homeowners are not aware of the importance of roof ventilation. Problems occur because of this ignorance that eventually cost them a lot of money in hiring roofing contractors to repair their roofs. An informed homeowner ensures a comfortable home that has all the ventilation areas covered.

Ventilation Extends Roof Life

Roofs last longer when there is proper ventilation. The importance of ventilation remains the same whether you are ventilating your roof for hot or cold climate. In cold places, proper ventilation avoids a variety of problems, including preventing the formation of ice dam, which occur when ice on the roof melts and refreezes at the edge. Ice dams trap the flow of water downwards and also freeze shingles.

In hot climates, ventilation cools your house by releasing heat in the attic and lessening the load of your air-conditioning system. This lengthens the life of your cooling system and saves you money on energy bills.

Ventilation Eliminates Moisture

An important function of ventilation is the release of moisture that could have collected in the attic or under the roof without proper ventilation. Trapped moisture has unwanted consequences and could lead to serious problems later. A good ventilation presents many benefits – metals subjected to extreme moisture will corrode over time and weaken, necessitating replacement; the roof deck could rot and deteriorate faster because of moisture; and greater chances of fungi and mold infestation when there is lack of proper ventilation.

Remember that a good roof does not only mean properly-laid shingles or tiles, it also requires proper ventilation for the total protection of the roof.

Degrees of Ventilation

The degree of ventilation varies with each roof. Some roofs have complete ventilation while others have limited ventilation only. Those areas of the roof that have limited or no ventilation will suffer from the issues we mentioned above. Homeowners must therefore strive for a complete ventilation in all key areas of the roof to avoid experiencing problems normally associated with improper ventilation.

A leaky roof is a common problem. Each one of us has experienced it to varying degrees in our lives. In fact, roof leak is one of the most common problems for houses and buildings.

Leaky roofs occur because of different causes. Sometimes all it takes is a simple visual inspection of your roof to identify the cause; at other times, you have to call the services of a professional roofer just to determine the source of the problem.

To help you easily identify the causes of the problem, we listed below its six most common causes to make your roof leak detection easier:

1. Clogged Gutters

You can easily verify if your gutter is clogged when it is raining, and no water is trickling out of the downspout. Leaves, dirt and debris are the most common culprits of a clogged gutter. Regular inspection and maintenance cleaning will prevent this from happening.

2. Damaged Shingles

Shingles eventually degrade through time and constant exposure to harsh elements. The time will come when they finally crack, erode, sustain damage or be blown off the roof. Identifying broken or missing shingles is easy though since they are the exterior layer of the roof and can easily be seen.

3. Damaged Skylights

Skylights enhance the aesthetic appeal of your house and allow sunlight to penetrate the interior of the house for more natural lighting. They are, however, a common cause of leaks due to improper installation or damage sustained over time. Observing a regular maintenance schedule helps prevent this problem.

4. Cracked Flashing

Flashing is used to provide water protection to the roof and usually placed on joints, seams and other transition points. Since flashing is made of metal, it is susceptible to corrosion, rust, dent and bending from strong winds, accidental bumping or shift in structure. Damaged flashing could lead to tricky water leaks that only professional contractors could identify and repair.

5. Cracked Chimneys

One of the places first inspected for leaks are chimneys. Whether your chimney is made from brick, stone or metal, the material deteriorates with time and could sustain cracks, corrosion or swelling making it susceptible to water leaks.

6. Ventilation and Plumbing Leaks

Some houses have their plumbing and ventilation systems run through their roofs. While this is not advisable, it is a fact that many houses have such setup. If you experience a leak on your roof, and you have hoses and pipes used for plumbing and ventilation situated near it, the likely cause of the leak is from the ventilation or plumbing system.