Why Attic Ventilation Is Important in Cold Months

When you think about your attic, you probably think about the insulation used to keep it warm. So why would you want to ventilate it and let cold air in? Attic ventilation is more important than you think and the combination of insulation and airflow is what keeps your home energy efficient.

During the winter, snow and ice accumulate on your roof and once temperatures warm up or the sun hits it, this accumulation starts to melt and trickle down towards your gutters. If your attic isn’t properly ventilated, it will stay warmer than it should and in turn, melt the snow and ice faster. While this may seem like a good thing, it’s actually not – when your gutters are filled with water and the temperature drops again, that water will freeze and build up. As the process continues, it can cause ice dams that block future water from draining. Since this water has nowhere to drain, it can slowly seep back into your roofing system or even into your home and cause water damage.

In addition, proper ventilation helps keep your attic dry – too much moisture can not only affect your roofing structure and attic structure, it can also seep into your roofing shingles and compromise their lifespan.

If you think your attic may need a ventilation adjustment or additional ventilation, call our home improvement experts today and set up an appointment. We’ll take a look at your attic and assess what should be done in order to make it as efficient as possible.