In addition to keeping the components of your roof in good condition and ensuring you have sufficient insulation, proper roof ventilation is an important part of commercial roof maintenance.
When your roof is improperly ventilated, hot air and moisture can build up beneath it, leading to a number of issues that can wreak havoc on your roof’s integrity.
Proper ventilation of your commercial roof is important because it allows accumulating heat and moisture to escape before it can cause problems. It also prevents cold air from entering the building in the winter. In general, healthy roof ventilation keeps your roof at a stable temperature, preventing a slew of potential issues.
Proper commercial roof ventilation will:
If left unchecked, mold growth can create hazardous conditions in your commercial building. Mold has been known to cause a variety of health issues, such as asthma, in those who are exposed to it. In a commercial building, this means that employees, clients, and visitors are all being put at risk.
Mold growth can cause structural damage to your building as well.
As mold forms on wood and drywall surfaces, it can eat away at them, causing them to weaken and decay. The moisture-rich environment that causes mold to grow can also lead to rust and corrosion of your building’s support beams.
Proper roof ventilation keeps the air moving in and out of your building, preventing the humid conditions that lead to mold growth.
Ice dams block melting ice and snow from properly draining through your building’s gutter system. This causes trapped water to pool, eventually leading to roof leaks and interior water damage.
In addition, the weight of trapped ice and snow can strain your roof, eventually leading to structural damage or even roof collapse.
As we mentioned earlier, good roof ventilation keeps your roof at a stable temperature, which will help prevent the formation of ice dams.
Proper commercial roof ventilation gives heat an escape route, lowering your indoor temperature and reducing strain on your A/C system.
Repairing damage from improper roof ventilation can be costly. And if repairs are not caught early on, you could end up needing to replace your roof much sooner than you otherwise would have.
Luckily, premature aging of your roof can be avoided with a well-functioning roof ventilation system.
For proper ventilation, your roof needs continuous airflow, striking a balance between air intake and exhaust.
Both are controlled by vents that allow air to move in and out of the building. Keeping the air moving prevents the buildup of excess heat and moisture and saves your roof from the damage we described above.
If you have noticed signs of roof leaks (water stains on ceilings or walls, mold or mildew growth, or visible roof damage, for instance), or if it’s been a while since you had your roof inspected, now would be a good time to schedule your next roof inspection.