6 Common Signs of Failing Roof Vents

What are those funny-shaped metal pieces on roofs? Found on all houses, roof vents are often a highly-ignored component of a healthy house (and a healthy roof). Turns out, not tending to your roof vents can result in lasting internal and external damages that affect the entire home.

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Roof vents are openings that intake and exhaust air. They are on the rooftop or near it, and look like a pipe, wind turbine, or window. These vents are necessary, because they keep houses from overheating, which can be uncomfortable and cause roof damage.

• Prevents heat and moisture buildup
• Lowers energy costs
• Reduces the amount of work done by air conditioners
• Keeps attic air circulating
• Extends the roof’s lifespan by protecting the house’s wood frame

Still, roof vents are not invincible. They are equally vulnerable to environmental disasters and wear and tear. Some signs of such damage include:

Ice dams, saggy decking, cracked shingles, and dry-rot are all signs of roof deterioration. These may not be caused solely by failing vents, however, without a functioning vent, too much heat or moisture can build under the shingles or tiles, causing the roof underlayment to deteriorate.

When roof vents fail, air conditioners work overtime to circulate air. This results in high utility bills. It also causes significant wear and tear on the conditioner itself. Leaking, strange noises, and an uneven temperature in your house are a few signs that your AC is overworking.

Mold can form in your attic due to storms and daily condensation. Over time, when the air is not properly circulated, this can create moldy shingles, mildew, and leaky roofs. These are health hazards and can cause allergic reactions or asthma attacks.

Rust develops when moisture forms on metal, such as nails or fasteners. Vents prevent that moisture buildup. Without vents, though, rust can form on plumbing, heating, and venting devices, and eventually cause them to break, leading to internal home issues.

Pests (squirrels, rodents, and insects) often indicate that there is some crevice where animals can crawl through to get inside. This may mean that there is a hole on the roof or that the vent’s gutters or siding is damaged. Some signs of pests include hearing scratching noises, seeing nests, or finding excrement.

Experiencing hot and cold spots means that one area of your house is a different temperature than another. For example, the upstairs may feel humid, but the downstairs feels cool. These differences are caused by poor roof ventilation and can result in an AC/HV system to overwork as it tries to meet demand.

If you are seeing some signs of vent failure, it is critical to repair them as soon as possible. For more than 50 years, we’ve offered reliable and quality roof maintenance, because we care for customer’s safety and health, and feel all homeowners should have a comfortable, livable home. Now, we want to help you. Let us help you bring circulation back to your home by contacting us about our roof repair services.

Topics: Roofing, Roof Repairs, Roof Maintenance