High relative indoor humidity levels can affect your home in many ways. It can make your indoor spaces feel uncomfortable, it can damage furniture and it can allow mold growth. In today’s post, the local roofing contractors at 4U Roofing share how humidity affects the roof.
Roof Damage Caused by Humidity
Heat and moisture tends to rise from your indoor spaces and collect in the attic. Lack of proper roofing ventilation can result in excessive condensation, which can damage structural components — most of which happen to be made of wood and metal fasteners. If left in the same conditions for a long time, rot may set in and even spread to other components like the roof deck. Also, heat, humidity and no direct sunlight all contribute to an environment that allows mold growth.
Where Does All the Moisture Come From?
Moisture can come from various parts of your home. Daily activities like cooking, bathing, and washing the dishes release moisture into the air through steam or evaporation. Homes with hydronic heating systems (heaters that circulate hot water through pipes and radiators to provide heating) may also release steam through basement boilers. Issues such as leaks in the plumbing may likewise release moisture.
How to Reduce Humidity Levels In Your Home
Roofers and building professionals like us recommend observing your home’s relative indoor humidity levels using a hygrometer, which should have a reading of between 30% to 50%. Doing the following can help reduce and maintain relative indoor humidity levels, which, in turn, can help prevent the roofing problems described above.
Control the sources of moisture — Using your bathroom’s exhaust fan when you bathe and the range hood in your kitchen when you cook can help stop excess moisture from lingering in your home. Make it a point to have plumbing issues fixed as soon as possible to keep moisture damage to a minimum.
Proper indoor ventilation — Air conditioners also work as dehumidifiers, which a well-maintained HVAC system can significantly reduce excess moisture.
Proper attic ventilation — Sloped roofing systems have a passive ventilation system that consists of exhaust vents at the ridges and intake vents at the soffit. This can be bolstered with electric or solar-powered exhaust fans installed on the roof.
Install a dehumidifier — Dehumidifiers absorb excess moisture in the air. You can choose either a portable unit for individual rooms or have a whole-home unit installed in your HVAC system’s air handler.
4U Roofing is your leading provider of roof repair and installation services. Give us a call at (251) 235-2222. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.
