Why You Should Check Your Attic Ventilation
Thursday, November 03, 2016
There is probably no homeowner who would stand idly by if they
were aware of the need for better home air ventilation. Unfortunately, many
homeowners are unaware of how common poor air ventilation is in a home, and
simply don’t know to check for it. The damage at-risk, however, could be very
costly – it's possible there could even be a roof collapse if the problem is
allowed to continue for a long time. Inadequate ventilation causes extensive
moisture issues that can lead to leaks, rot, and severe structural damage. A
properly ventilated home; however, allows for moisture in the air to be released
outside, mitigating the build-up of moisture. Studies demonstrate that a family of four can produce anywhere from
two to four gallons of water in the air daily.
One of the more noticeable examples of houses that have
inadequate ventilation and insulation is the formation of dangerous icicles in
the winter months. These icicles can accumulate, under ideal conditions,as
rapidly as 1 cm per minute. The dynamics involved in this phenomenon include a
number of factors including the accumulation of snow on the roof, which has an
insulating property, and the movement of the warm air and cool air; however, the
details of the phenomena don’t matter. What does matter is what those icicles
represent – if you notice an extensive amount of icicles develop on your home,
this could be cause for concern. Contact a highly recommended roofing company
like the Toronto-based Professional Roofers to come and inspect your roof and
attic to ensure your ventilation system is functioning adequately. A qualified
company will be able to tell you if you have any problems and what needs to be
done. The best roofing companies, like Professional Roofers, will also offer a free consultation and
estimate, so there really is no downside to contacting them for a second
opinion.
You can also choose to have your home inspected by a home
inspector if you feel there may be more problems than just the roof or
ventilation; however, this service comes at a cost. The agency responsible for
identifying the knowledge, skills and abilities for a home inspector to be
certified is the Canadian Association of Home and Property Inspectors and it is
important to ensure the inspector you choose is certified.
Other damages from inadequate ventilation tend to occur inside
the home itself. Poor ventilation leads to a build-up of moisture within the
house, most noticeable in the low-traffic regions of the home where temperature
changes are the most severe: the basement and the attic. This can even mean
breaches to the structural integrity of the home, as water settles on and
subsequently breaks down wooden joists, insulation, and plywood. The most common
and easiest way to spot poor ventilation in the home is from mould buildup,
which can also have health effects on human life as well as to the property.
In terms of prospective costs to the occupants' wellbeing and
the benefits of a properly ventilated home, it truly pays to take precautions to
examine your house’s ventilation system and make sure it is functioning
effectively. If you need help, there are qualified professionals in your area
who will be able to assist you in the inspection of your home, good luck!
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