Is Your Attic Ventilated Right? What to Check Before a New Roof

When a roof wears out early, homeowners usually blame the shingles. Often the real problem is the attic. A roof that cannot breathe traps heat and moisture under the deck, and that can shorten the life of whatever is laid on top of it.

What a ventilated attic does

In summer, moving air carries heat out of the attic so the roof deck and shingles run cooler. In winter, it carries off moist air before it condenses on the underside of the deck. Either way, the goal is steady airflow from low vents to high vents.

Intake and exhaust have to work as a pair

• Intake vents sit low, usually in the soffit under the eaves, and let fresh air in.
• Exhaust vents sit high, such as a ridge vent or box vents near the peak, and let hot air out.
• If there is plenty of exhaust but little intake, the attic cannot pull air in the way it is supposed to.

Quick checks you can make yourself

• From the ground, look under the eaves for soffit vents. Solid, unvented soffit may mean little or no intake.
• From the attic, look at the edges where the roof meets the walls. Insulation packed against the deck can block airflow from the soffits.
• On a hot day, an attic that feels far hotter than outdoors may not be moving air well.
• Look for damp insulation, dark stains on the deck, or a musty smell.

Questions to ask before you sign

• How will you check the attic ventilation before and after the job?
• What intake and exhaust vents does my roof have now, and what will be installed?
• Is the soffit open, and will insulation be kept clear of it?
• Is the ventilation plan written into the estimate?

We look at the attic on every roof

Gerkin Construction checks attic ventilation as part of every roofing job across Lawrence and Orange Counties. If you are planning a replacement, or just wondering whether your attic is breathing, reach out and we will take a look.