Keep an eye out for relative indoor humidity levels as outdoor temperatures rise: it can affect indoor air quality and make the air feel warmer than it really is. High humidity levels can also cause damage to your roof, sight unseen. In today’s post, local roofing company Roofer Chicks takes a look at how humidity can affect your roof.
How Humidity Can Damage Roofs
Warm air naturally rises and carries moisture with it into the highest points of the building, which is usually the attic. Trapped moisture in the attic can encourage mold and mildew growth, which can contaminate the attic space and allow mold spores to spread to other parts of the house. Moisture can also cause rot and corrosion on the roof framing and compromise the safety and stability of your roof.
Attic Ventilation
Roofs need a good ventilation system to prevent heat and moisture from getting trapped in the attic. A standard residential roofing system should have vents at the highest points of the roof, usually the ridges. As warm and humid air is vented, it creates negative pressure within the attic and pulls fresh air through intake vents located at the soffits, the lowest point of the roof.
You can tell if the attic isn’t getting enough ventilation by climbing into it — you’ll feel the heat and humidity as soon as you get in. If this is the case, you should have your roofer install additional vents or exhaust fans.
What Can You Do to Prevent Damage Caused by Humidity?
As the homeowner, there are a few things that you can do to help reduce the moisture that can end up in the attic. One is by controlling the indoor sources: turning on the range hood when cooking and the bathroom exhaust fan when bathing can help divert moisture away from your indoor spaces. Another is making sure that leaks in the plumbing are fixed as soon as possible.
Cool air is a natural dehumidifier, and an air conditioning system set at 78 degrees can help maintain the ideal relative indoor humidity levels of around 50%. In larger spaces, you may need to supplement it with a dehumidifier, which can be built into the HVAC system or purchased as standalone units.
If your roof has ventilation issues or if you would like to know more about our roof repair and installation services, give Roofer Chicks at call at (830) 629-7663. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve communities in New Braunfels, TX.