Ventilation is the key

One of the most critical factors in roof durability is proper ventilation. In winter, normal household activities like doing laundry, running dishwashers and taking showers generate moisture that can damage insulation, rafters, wood deck, underlayment and shingles. In summer, heat build-up can cause premature aging and cracking of wood and roofing materials. In short without proper ventilation, heat and moisture build-up in the attic area combine to cause rafters and sheathing to rot, roof shingles to buckle and insulation to lose its effectiveness. It is therefore important never to block off sources of roof ventilation, such as louvers, ridge vents or soffet vents, even in winter.Proper attic ventilation will help prevent structural damage caused by moisture, increases the life of the roofing material,reduce energy consumption and enhance the comfort level of the rooms below the attic.In additionto the free flow of the air, Insulation plays a key role in proper attic ventilation. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors,the ideal attic has

. A gap-free layer of insulation on the floor to protect thr house below from heat gain or loss.

. A vapor barrier under the insulation next to the warm ceiling below to stop moisture from rising into the attic.

.Enough open, vented spaces properly located to allow air to pass in and out freely.

.A minimum of 3/4" to 1 1/2" gap between the insulation and the roof sheathing.

What is Balanced Ventilation?

When a ventilation system is balanced, wind blowing over the ridge creates a negative pressure that draws the warmer air out of the attic.Replacement air enters through the undereave vents, bathes the underside of the roof and exits at the ridge cap.Even with no wind, the natural convention action, action of rising warm air maintains a continuous air flow along the underside of the roof. A proper ventilation system works year-round without m oving parts or energy consumption. Ridge vents, when used with proper undereave vents are the most efficient form of roof ventilation because the allow uniform escape of warm, moist air from the attic.Turbines,louvers, and gable vents do not provide the uniform air flow throughout the attic like proper ridge vents do.

Ice & Water Shields

An ice dam can form on almost any roof after a substancial snowfall. The interior heat of the structure causes snowmelt; the melted snow accumulates and later freezes to form an ice dam along the eaves.As more snow melts,water flows down the pitching of the roof and backs up behind the ice dam, gradually forcing its way under the shingles and through the roof deck into the structure.

Storms can threaten the integrity of sloped roofs.Strong winds can lift sloped roof covering allowing wind driven rain to easily get underneath and penetrate the unprotected roof decks.Roof leaks can routinely occur in valleys or around skylights or protusions.The effects of ice dams or wind driven rain can range from stained walls and ceilings to severe water damage in multiple rooms.During a single year ice dams or wind driven rain can easily cost thousands of dollars in a family home,condominium,apartment building or commercial structures,and unless the leakage problem is corrected,damage will continue to result. Ice and water shields applied in these critical flashing areas can prevent hard to correct leak problems from occuring.In addition,Ice and water shields can help extend the effective life of the roof since roofs generally first show their age by leaking in these areas. It takes surprisingly little Ice and Water shield to make danger zones safe and adds very little to the cost of the roofing job.Christian Faith Roofing recommends using Ice and Water sheilds for the significantly greater protection they afford your home,especially since the added cost is so minimal.

Property Management:

       Toxic Mold

Toxic mold is being reported as the number one indoor threat to human health and a homes future.

Moisture in the buildings infrastructure is a primary cause of toxic mold infestation.Minor roof leaks that may not even be detectable can contribute the formation of mold colonies.Without proper roof ventilation, the situation build up until the cost to remedy the situation is catastrophic.Small roof leaks can lead to moisture accumilating in the under-wall of the roof and down into interior or side walls of the home.Months or even years worth of moisture can cause decay and the perfect environment for strains of mold that emit toxic gasses or spores that cause respiratory distress.

These homes become known as sick homes,and the cost to human inhabitants and the homes financial investment can be devastating.While roof leaks are not the only contributing factor to toxic mold, a professional roof maintenance program can definitely be part of the prevention or the cure.