Several factors can affect the lifespan of a roofing system, such as its slope, exposure to outdoor elements and quality of installation. To keep this part of your home in good shape and prolong its life, you must maintain good airflow in your attic. Poor ventilation can cause a buildup of hot and humid air, resulting in moisture-related issues like mold, rot and poor indoor air quality.
While humidity plays a significant role in the overall condition of your roof, homeowners don’t often recognize what it can do.
What Excessive Humidity Does to a Roof
It Can Accelerate the Deterioration of Roofing Materials
Moisture and heat naturally rise, which means they often end up in your roof and attic. You might not realize it, but the things you do every day – such as cooking, running the dishwasher and showering – contribute to indoor humidity.
The more moisture there is in the air, the more humid your attic gets. Even if it doesn’t rain, your roof and attic can still suffer water damage from increased humidity. The combination of high temperatures and elevated humidity levels can speed up the deterioration of shingles, decking and wooden components of your roof. So, make sure to keep your home dry. The dryer your home is, the better it is for the health of your roof.
It Can Cause Moisture-Related Issues
Trapped hot, humid air in your attic increases your roof’s risk for water damage. The attic is often one of the most overlooked areas of a house. For this reason, increased humidity tends to be left undetected for a long time. Eventually, this issue can lead to serious problems like mold and rot and weakened roof structure.
It Can Cause Mold Growth and Poor Indoor Air Quality
Mold can grow indoors and outdoors, but it tends to cause more issues when they are present in your living space. It releases spores that can cause respiratory problems and trigger allergy attacks. While mold doesn’t always cause sickness, it can still cause health issues and allergy-like symptoms. Exposure to mold spores can cause sneezing, coughing, skin rash, sore throat and headaches. Some people might also experience lung irritation and wheezing.
A humid roof and attic can encourage mold growth. Don’t take this problem lightly because once it is widespread, it can be difficult and costly to remove. This microorganism can grow and feed off roofing materials, furnishings, carpets and books. Worst case scenario, they weaken your ceilings and walls, compromising the structural integrity of your home. Fortunately, you can get rid of mold even when it has started growing by making sure your attic has sufficient ventilation.
How Do You Know if You Have Humidity Issues at Home?
Deteriorating Furnishings and Flooring
Too much indoor moisture can compromise the wooden components of your home. It can cause stains to form and eventually degrade materials. When left unaddressed, it can cause permanent damage to window frames, hardwood flooring and other wooden furnishings.
Peeling Paint or Wallpaper
Another common indication you’re dealing with excessive humidity is peeling wallpaper or paint. Condensation typically forms on walls if you fail to manage your home’s humidity levels. Even if you add a new layer of paint and place new wallpaper, the issues will only recur unless you deal with the root cause.
Wall and Brickwork Damage
While the walls of a house usually have air or vapor barriers in place, warm, humid air can still infiltrate them. Humidity issues are even more common in the warmer seasons. During this time of year, moisture can accumulate in your foundation, basement and crawl spaces, potentially leading to structural damage. Constant changes in the moisture content in plasters, studs or joints can cause contraction. When this happens, increased humidity can cause cracks that can require costly repairs.
Tips to Maintain Healthy Humidity Levels
Make Sure Your Roof Has Sufficient Ventilation
Sufficient attic ventilation eliminates heat and moisture that can build up and damage your home. It is necessary, regardless of what the climate is in your area. It can also help extend the life of residential roofing systems. Moreover, it can help ensure your roof and the rest of your living space doesn’t become excessively humid.
Good airflow helps keep your attic in moderate temperatures. On the other hand, the lack of ventilation can wear out roof sheathing and result in early shingle failure. If the floor of your attic doesn’t have enough insulation, the warm, moist air will travel down to your living space. As a result, rooms will become uncomfortable, and your energy bills will increase as your HVAC system tries to keep up with your increasing cooling demands.
You’ll know you have a poor roof and attic ventilation if your HVAC system keeps malfunctioning and your energy bills are increasing. Have you noticed that during winter ice dams or icicles tend to form on your roof? It’s likely due to the lack of ventilation. You can also be dealing with this issue if there is corrosion or rust in electrical boxes, lighting fixtures and HVAC components in your attic. Water stains and dampness on attic walls are common indicators of increased humidity due to lack of ventilation.
Get Regular Roof Inspections and Maintenance
A skilled roofing professional will be able to catch and address early signs of humidity-related problems. Dealing with these issues promptly will help you avoid serious damage to your roof and the rest of your house. Schedule a roof inspection at least once a year and after an extreme weather event hits your area.
Routine maintenance helps prevent roofing issues long before they occur, saving you from costly repairs. It will keep your roof in good condition for longer. Knowing that this part of your home is in top shape will give you peace of mind that your family and property are protected no matter the weather.
Meanwhile, a neglected roofing system may not even last as expected. Your roof will eventually require replacement, but proper upkeep can help extend its life. If your contractor spots damage – even minor issues – you must address them immediately.
Keep Your Gutters Clean
Gutters bring water away from your roof and the rest of your home’s exterior. It is vital in protecting different parts of your property against the damaging effects of excessive moisture. Over time, leaves, twigs, seeds and other debris can build up in your gutters. Leaving them there will create clogs that will cause water to back up and accumulate on the surface of your roof.
Insects, birds and other small creatures are also less likely to get attracted to clean gutters. However, pests aren’t the only trouble that compromised gutters can cause. They also increase the risk of several problems in your home like roof leaks, basement flooding and landscaping erosion. Keeping your gutters in good condition also reduces the likelihood of a cracked foundation. When water drips down to the sides of your home, it will eventually reach the foundation. As a result, it will expand and contract during the colder months.
Maintain Healthy Humidity Levels Indoors
Your home’s humidity level should neither be too high nor too low. Ideally, it should be nowhere below 30%. Extremely low humidity is just as problematic as heightened levels of humidity. When too low, humidity can dry out and shrink wooden furnishings and structures and cause skin itchiness. It can also create more static electricity, affecting your appliances and digital devices.
To maintain healthy humidity levels indoors, encourage effective passive ventilation by opening windows from opposite sides of your home. Turn on your exhaust fans when taking a shower, cooking, doing the laundry or running the dishwasher. As much as possible, avoid drying clothes indoors because it can contribute to increased humidity.
