Which Type Of Roof Vent Is Best For Your Home?

Proper ventilation at the roof is important to a complete attic ventilation system as well as to the structural integrity of the roof.  There are two basic categories of roof vents including passive and powered.  A roofing contractor can install four different kinds of roof vents that all fall into one of the two categories.

All roof vents work by allowing outside air that enters the attic through the soffits to escape out the top of the roof, creating attic ventilation that carries away moisture and condensation before it has any chance to damage the structure of the roof, the insulation or the home.

Below are the four different types of roof vents along with some pros and cons. Your roofing contractor can help you decide which type of vent will work best for your roof and why installing the proper roof vent system can impact the structural integrity of your home over time.

Passive Roof Vents

Low Profile Roof Vents

Low-Profile or Louvered Roof Vent

The most common type of roof vent is probably the low profile roof vent.  Also referred to as "louvered vents" these vents have a low profile and feature a slant-back design to guard against weather infiltration especially in steep-slope applications.  They often available in either aluminum or galvanized steel and can provide between 50 and 60 square inches of net free ventilating are (NFA) per vent. Installation is relatively easy as most include pre-drilled holes for nailing.

Multiple low profile roof vents must be installed on the roof according to the square foot size of the attic. Under 1,000 square feet of attic space requires only 4 vents while a 3000 square foot attic can require as many as 12.

The low profile vent is usually installed on the back roof to minimize any unsightly appearance they may cause. The color of the vent can often be matched to the color of the roof depending on the manufacturer that is chosen.

Ridge Vents

Ridge Vent At The Peak Of The Roof

Ridge vents run the entire length of the roof peak and look very much like the shingles on the roof. These vents can offer several advantages over the low profile roof vents.  First, they blend into the roofline creating a more attractive appearance overall and second, they achieve a balanced air flow that other types of vents just cannot deliver. Ridge vents, like louvered vents, are made to allow nothing but air to flow through them, so birds and insects are kept outside.

Roof Turbine Vents

Turbine Roof Vent or Attic Exhaust Fan

Also called metal pot vents or roof exhaust fans, the turbine vent offers a few key advantages under the right circumstances.  Because they are so large and include rotating fan blades, they can remove huge amounts of air through the attic when wind is present.  With as little as 5 miles per hour of wind the turbine vent can remove 347 cubic fee of air per minute from the attic. The results are even more impressive when wind speed increases.

Because the air flow can be so strong, it is especially important that soffits are kept clear of attic insulation to allow the same amount of air that is entering the attic that is being expelled.  Otherwise the turbine vent will pull air from the interior of the home which can be a waste if it has already been heated or cooled.

Not all turbines will fit all roof pitches, so this option may not be feasible depending on your roof construction.  Always be sure to install an aluminum turbine to prevent rust and make sure the ball bearings are permanently lubricated and sealed. The last thing you want is a squeaky roof turbine keeping you awake at night.

Active Roof Vents

Electric and Solar-Powere Roof Vents

Power vents on the roof can provide additional benefits to the homeowner as they help save on energy bills. These vents can quickly expel built up hot air in the attic that lingers in summertime making the cooling system work less to cool the house down.  On the downside the electric powered models can defeat the purpose of decreasing energy usage as they operate using electricity. In a power outage they will not work at all.  Solar-powered varieties exist that rely only on Mother Nature for their power.

There is some controversy however on the effectiveness of the powered attic ventilator. Unless you have a perfectly sealed ceiling, the air-pulling force of the power vent can be so strong that it pulls air conditioned or heated air right from your house.  If you do in fact have a tightly sealed ceiling, then the power vents may not even be needed in theory because the hot air in the attic will likely not impact the cooling of the air in the home.

The best decision you can make is to speak directly with a reputable roofing contractor in your area about the best type of roof vent that they would recommend. As always, adequate ventilation in the attic is key to maintaining the integrity of both the roof and the interior of the home.  Cold winter temperatures can post just as much of a threat as the heat of the summer, so year-round ventilation is critical.

Ten Tips For Proper Gutter Maintenance

Gutters are a vital component of a quality roofing system and need proper maintenance to keep rainwater flowing in the proper direction. Clogged gutters can easily force water onto the fascia board and can eventually cause rotting.  Even worse water can get dammed up and find its own path into the interior of the home, so keeping them free of leaves and debris is a top priority throughout the year.

Here are ten suggestions that will help insure free-flowing gutters during the heaviest of storms.

Do Not Rely Solely On Gutter Guards

There is no shortage of gutter protection items on the market, but there aren’t any that are absolutely foolproof.  This is particularly true if you live in a heavily wooded area. If you have gutter guards, they still need to be inspected and cleaned out occasionally.

Spring Clean Your Gutters

Check your gutters in spring and clean out tree seeds, leaf buds, small sticks, branches and falling tree blooms.  It is always surprising how much can accumulate and cause an overflowing situation during a rainstorm.  This is especially true if there are trees overhanging the roof.  Certain trees can also leak sap that can act like glue to bind the debris together to create an obstruction.  

It's a good idea while you are inspecting and cleaning your gutters to take note of the condition of your roofing shingles.  If your roof has not been replaced in more than 20 years, your home could seriously need a new one.

Summer Check Up

Sometimes we experience extremely dry weather in the summer and this can cause some leaves to fall prematurely.  Pay attention during heavy storms to make sure the water is flowing through the gutters and not over the top of them.  If you see a waterfall effect, it is time to get back up on the ladder and do some more cleaning.

Fall Gutter Cleaning

If your home is directly underneath trees, you may need to clean out your gutters several times during the fall season.  Make sure to clean the gutters early enough to that you are not climbing a ladder during icy weather.  You may need the help of a garden hose, and it is not advisable to use the hose during freezing weather.

Many Different Methods For Cleaning Gutters

A makeshift scoop from an old milk carton can easily be created to scoop out debris, or you can use a small garden shovel.  It is also possible to use your hands if you wear heavy gloves.  Running water is a good choice, however you will likely need a pressure washer to force any wet, rotten gunk out.   If you choose this method, take care to keep the water stream away from the shingles as it could easily force them loose. A leaf blower can also be used to remove debris, however it is advisable to wear safety goggles and a dust mask to protect your eyes and lungs.

Make Sure You Feel Safe On A Ladder

To clean out any debris, you will need to climb up on a ladder and scoop out the debris.  If you do not feel confident using a ladder, call a professional to help.  Never climb out onto the roof itself and try to clean gutters that way.  Never work on the roof in wet, icy, or windy conditions. Be sure to wear non-slip shoes, and never lean over the edge. If you are not experienced in roof maintenance, you may find yourself making an unexpected trip to the emergency room, so think carefully about using the ladder.

What To Do With The Muck

When cleaning out gutters, you may find yourself picking out lots of decomposed debris or “muck”.  If you hang a bucket up on the ladder with you, it is easy to dump the muck right into the bucket.  From there you can add it right to your compost pile.  Another option is to put down a tarp over your shrubs and just throw the gutter contents down as you go.

Run Water From A Garden Hose To Check For Clogs

Once the debris is cleared, it is helpful to take a garden hose up to the gutter and run water through it.  This will test if any clogs are still lingering.  If you do not see water coming out of the downspout, then you will need to go back and remove more debris.

Check For Leaks Or Gaps In The Gutters

As you are cleaning out the gutter, visually inspect them for obvious holes or cracked caulking at the seams.  If you find cracked caulking that has peeled away, the gutter must be completely dried and a bead silicone will need to be applied to seal the hole and keep water from getting in behind the gutters.

Inspect And Replace Spikes And Rivets If Necessary

Another thing to inspect are the spikes that go through the gutters through the fascia board and into the rafters directly behind it.  These spikes can easily work there way out of the hole and will need to be replaced to insure the gutters are securely fastened.  Also check the rivets on the downspout to make sure they are nice and tight.  A rivet gun along with new rivets would be needed to fix the rivets if they are loose. These can be found at a local hardware store.

5 Key Signs Your Roof Needs Replacement

Deteriorated Asphalt Shingles

We attend a lot of home shows throughout the Chicagoland Area and homeowners are always asking  "How Do I Know if I Need A New Roof?".  So here are 5 key ways to determine if your roof needs replacement.
1.  Inspect your roof by getting a pair of binoculars and looking closely at the shingles.  Asphalt shingles will begin to curl up around the edges when they worn.  If many shingles on your roof are showing this sign of heavy wear, it's time to call an expert roofer to talk about a new roof.
2.  Inspect your shingles for loss of mineral granules.  Severe loss of these granules can mean that your roofing shingles have deteriorated, are defective or have suffered from hail damage.  But either way excessive granule loss can indicate that it's time for a new roof.  The mineral granules protect the asphalt coating on the shingles from UV deterioration.  Once the shingles lose an excessive amount of granules, the asphalt coating will most certainly deteriorate.  Once the asphalt deteriorates, it is no longer waterproof and can no longer prevent water from entering through the shingle and seeping into the home.
3.  Look for bare patches on the shingles where both the granules and the asphalt coating have worn down.  If you see these "bald" patches over any part of your roof, it is definitely time for repairs or even a completely new roof.
4.  Inspect the shingles for tears, cracks, buckling or areas where the asphalt is showing through.  Any tears or cracks will allow more water to penetrate the shingles and because of changing temperatures the asphalt will most certainly deteriorate.  Buckling up of the shingles can allow water to enter under the shingle and penetrate the roof.  Any spots where the black asphalt is showing is also a sign that the shingles are in need of replacement.
5.  How old are the shingles?  The normal lifespan for the flat, "3-Tab" asphalt roofing shingles is 20 years.  For multi-dimensional, architectural shingles the lifespan can go up to 30 years or longer.  If your roof has not been replaced in over 20 years, its expected lifespan may be coming to an end and the time for a roof replacement could be close at hand.