Roof Vent Maintenance and Roof Vent Repair

Serving all Areas of Northern Virginia and Surrounding Areas.

Without proper maintenance on your roof vents, the time to replace your roof may come much sooner than you think.  There are many different types of vents that can be installed on your home, and any good Northern Virginia roofing contractor will advise you on the type of vent that will best suit your home. Many people neglect to take care of their intake vents, or they do not realize that an inexperienced roofer has improperly installed their vents, which eventually will take a toll on the roof.  Static vents are one way to go.  Static vents include roof louvers, ridge vents and turbine vents but none of these are at all equal to the power fan in their effectiveness.

By far, the best and most effective roof vent exhaust is the power fan.  By setting the thermostat to 90 degrees, the attic space will stay regulated at 90 degrees all the time during the warmer months.  The installation and maintenance of a power fan is crucial, as improper mounting will cause the unit to shake, creating a tremendous amount of noise.  When a qualified roofer inspects your power fan during an annual maintenance check up, they will verify that the installation was completed by fastening the outside edges of the flashing to the rafters underneath.

Roof louvers were a popular choice in the past.  These small, square-shaped vents are placed just below the ridge, and many are needed to adequately ventilate a typical attic space.  Before ridge vents or power vents were available, this was the mainstream choice.  Beyond needing so many vents, which can easily become an eye sore, many homeowners were hesitant to use them for fear of developing leaks.  Inexperienced roofing contractors would often improperly install them, causing more harm than good.

Ridge vents are not ideal for the climate we experience in Northern Virginia, VA.  Aside from the fact that they are prone to leaks, they also tend to blow off entirely due to improper installation by roofers who are inexperienced in working with this type of vent.  There is a very specific technique involved with installing ridge vents.  Any good contractor will tell you that they must cut the wood sheathing underneath a maximum of 2” on each side of the ridge and then fasten the vent into place.  The measurement must be exact; a larger cut will result in leakage during wind-driven rains and a smaller cut will prevent the hot air from escaping, thereby making the vent ineffective.  Another important point that a qualified roofing contractor will make sure of is to fasten the aluminum ridge vent into place by penetrating the rafters underneath the wood sheathing.  If your home is in a high-wind area, this is especially important or your vents will undoubtedly blow off in the first major windstorm.  Ridge vents are not appropriate for low-sloped roofs, as they will cause leaks.

Most homeowners don’t realize that if you don’t have proper roof ventilation, your manufacturer’s warranty on your shingles is void. There are many consequences that can come as a result of a poor ventilation system, but knowledgeable roofers can help homeowners avoid such a fate. A good roofing contractor knows all there is about roofs and roof vents. If you want to avoid replacing your roof sooner than you have to, which most homeowners do, it is necessary to take the time to maintain your roof and your roof vents.