Best Vents for Removing Moisture from a Leaking Roof

To prevent a leaking roof, a home should have a proper ventilation to remove moisture trapped under the roof or inside the attic. There are several ways to ventilate a roof, including the use of power ventilators, wind assisted ventilators and gravity ventilators. Read on for information about some of the best vents that will help minimize or eradicate the problems caused by a leaking roof.

Natural Vents

The most economical roofing vents are those that are natural. The ventilation effect occurs when wind movement is maximized inside an attic or under a roof. This is otherwise called the chimney effect. To accomplish this, install inlet and outlet vents in an attic with vent areas equivalent to 1 square inch total vent area per 1 square foot attic area.

An example of a natural vent is a ridge vent, which is typically installed at the sloped roof’s peak. This vent allows warm air to escape through the attic, thereby allowing moisture to escape outside.

Another natural vent is a soffit vent, which is a screened vent that allows air to flow into the space below the roof sheathing or into the attic. This type of vent ensures that the attic is kept cool during the summer. It also allows the moisture inside the attic to evaporate.

Power Vent

Power ventilation requires the installation of an attic fan to ensure that the there is movement of air inside the attic. The electric fan is typically installed on the ceiling. For proper ventilation, sufficient air outlets should be installed in the attic to allow proper movement of air.

There are power vents that are electrically powered and make use of a humidistat and thermostat to monitor and control moisture build-up and heat trapped inside the attic. These vents are a good option for those who can afford the price of the vent as well as the electric consumption needed to power the vent. These vents can either be designed to be installed or mounted to the roof or to the gable of the attic.

An alternative to an electrically powered vent is a solar powered one. Solar powered vents convert power from the sun into electrical energy to produce an eco-friendly and energy efficient power source for attic ventilation.

Static Vents

Static vents are covered openings that allow air to escape from the attic. Usually, these vents are installed in addition to other types of vents to allow efficient moisture control and attic ventilation. These vents are typically installed evenly on the roof or gables. These vents can be made of plastic or metal.

An example of a static vent is the wall louver. This vent is installed onto the gable and is placed higher than an exhaust vent to provide effective air flow. Another type is the wind turbine. A wind turbine vent is not electrically powered, but uses the power of the wind to vent out static air.