 Attic VENTILATION Presuming that your roof has been properly installed, the next most important factor to consider is attic ventilation. The best type of ventilation is when cooler air can enter the attic through soffit or fascia vents. These vents can be seen from the ground; behind the gutters. The warm air is vented out through vents mounted on or near the top of the roof. The other type of venting is commonly found in older homes. This is where the cooler air enters through the soffit vent, and vents out through louvers in the gables on each end of the building. Without these vents, heat and moisture will build up in the attic area and combine. This combination causes the sheathing to rot, shingles to age prematurely and the insulation to lose its effectiveness. In many cases when home owners insulate attics they do not use dams (made of cardboard or Styrofoam) in the eaves (over the soffit) to stop the insulation from being blown into the cavity and blocking the soffit vents. Black staining (possibly mold) on the roof decking in the attic are an indication of poor ventilation. Failure to cure this condition could lead to serious health related problems for the occupants of the property. Note: Do not block or cover any attic or roof vents. | Welcome to BIS | About BIS | Home Inspections | Get Started | Technical FAQ | Contact us |
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