Homeowners rarely understand the need or importance of a properly ventilated roof system. There are very few roofing contractors who even understand the real purpose behind roof ventilation. Although most homes have roof vents and horizontal ridge louvers installed, quiet often the amount of ventilation is inadequate. The inadequacy of ventilation for the roof system may produce problems later on for the homeowner. The cold air in the Winter months is when the biggest problems occur. As the heat enters the attic space from inside your home, the cold air descends upon your roof surface.  The cold air and the heat from inside your home causes condensation to form on the rafters of your roof structure. The condensation begins to build and the water droplets fall onto the insulation inside the home. The amount of water may be small or it can be very large depending on the amount of ventilation and the outside temperatures. A licensed roofing contractor can evaluate your roof ventilation for maximum capacity.

The water from the condensation has a tendency to cause Black Mold to build up inside your attic. The mold build up can cause major health problems. The most common problems associated with Black Mold is respiratory complications. The damage from the condensation can warp floors and sheet rock. The cost for a poorly ventilated attic can be very expensive.  A simple roof estimate for a new ventilation system may be in order if you suspect water damage or mold in your attic. The GAF Shingle Corporation has the best ridge ventilation product the roofing industry has to offer. There needs to be at least 40 linear feet of horizontal ridge line for the ventilation system to work properly. There are additional options to help ventilate the attic space such as a power ventilator. The roofing codes for attic ventilation are different from state to state, but as an Atlanta Roofing Company we have to install at least 80 cubic feet of ventilation per 2000 sq feet of roof surface. Be sure to check with your local code enforcement for your requirements.