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Things You May Not Know

What is Roof Ventilation?

Your roof does more than just protect your roof, it also plays a key role in keeping your home’s temperature regulated. A roof’s ventilation system can either raise your energy bills or lower them, depending on how well it is functioning. Ventilation is rarely seen, but it is a very important part of your home.

Typically, you will have a vent called a soffit vent underneath your eaves to function as an intake vent. This sucks air into your attic and underneath your roof. The vents that get rid of hot air can vary. Ridge vents are probably the most effective vent style. They sit up at the peak of your roof, so no hot air can get trapped above the vent. Other vent styles, such as gable or static vents, sit either on the walls at the ends of the attic or on the roof. These styles are also very effective, but some of the hot air can get trapped underneath the vents since they are not situated at the peak of the roof.

Roof ventilation will help lower your energy costs, help regulate the temperature inside your home, and will help prevent ice dams in the wintertime. If you notice high energy bills, it is probably time to get your ventilation checked. It may either be functioning poorly or you may simply not have enough ventilation. Contact a professional for an inspection.

What is Drip Edge?

You may only see the shingles on your roof at first glance, but there are a lot of materials that go into the construction of a roof. The roof sheathing, felt, nails, flashing, and shingles all play critical roles in building a sound, waterproof roof. Another of these materials is drip edge.

Drip edge is essentially a strip of metal flashing that is installed on a roof’s edge. Depending on the region it is installed in, it will be installed either along the rake or along the eaves. Usually, this is determined by how susceptible an area is to high winds. In addition, the drip edge material must be corrosion resistant, should be 36 gauge or heavier, and must have a minimum overlap of two inches.

The primary function of drip edge is to help with drainage. It is molded to move water away from the roof and helps to protect the decking and the materials underneath the shingles in the process. Additionally, it supports and strengthens your roof, which helps to increase the lifespan of your roof, saving you money in the long run.

What are Standing Seam Roof Panels? 

Asphalt shingling is still the most common roofing material in use today. It does a great job at protecting roofs, but it is rather bland and is not as aesthetically pleasing as some other materials. Standing seam roofs have grown in popularity due to their great durability and their aesthetically pleasing looks. So, what exactly are standing seam roof panels?

Standing seam roof panels are made up of metal, so they are a type of metal roof. However, unlike regular metal roofs, the seams where the panels attach are raised. A raised seam is formed by taking the seams of two roof panels and crimping them together.

These roofs are arguably one of the best roofs you can buy. They can last roughly twice as long as a typical asphalt shingle roof, giving you the most for your money. Due to their composition and durability, they also require very little maintenance on behalf of the home or business owner. They also, being metal, reflect a lot of the sun’s rays. This results in lower energy costs and more comfortable home temperatures. Standing seam roofing is a durable, environmentally-friendly option that does not require you to sacrifice on looks.

What Exactly is Dry Rot 

Every homeowner is wary of dry rot. Dry rot can cause damage to the structure of your home and is very difficult to remove. It can cost thousands of dollars and a lot of time to remove. While dry rot is notorious for damaging homes, what exactly is dry rot, what causes it, and how can it be removed?

Dry rot is actually caused by a fungus named serpula lacrymans. This fungus thrives in organic matter in the presence of moisture. It is common in homes as it grows in wood beams following a roof leak or other water leak. The fungus looks like cotton and causes the wood to weaken and dry out as it spreads. Serpula lacrymans often forms in the trusses of your roof, which can severely weaken the integrity of your roof and cause thousands of dollars in damage.

Luckily, dry rot can usually be removed. To start, the source of the water leak should be fixed or the dry rot problem will keep reappearing. This may mean repairing a roof leak or a leaky pipe. Once the leak has been fixed, the dry rot can be removed. Usually, an epoxy treatment or copper naphthenate will be plenty to kill the fungus so new wood can be installed or so the wood can be restored.

What is Infrared Technology? 

Infrared radiation is a type of radiation similar to microwaves and radio waves. It is essentially of wavelength of light that is not visible to humans without using technology. It is used for many purposes, including by NASA to view objects through dense areas of gas and to view the earth in more detail. How, then does infrared technology apply to roofing?

One benefit of infrared technology in roofing is it can detect moisture. When moisture gets trapped in the roof system, it heats up more slowly than the surface of the roof. Infrared technology can use thermal imaging to spot the temperature differences, detecting moisture.

Not only does this work to find moisture, it can find leaks as well. This allows the roofer to spot the source of the leak, which can be difficult to spot sometimes.

Lastly, wet insulation can easily be spotted with infrared technology. Wet insulation can drastically impact heating and cooling costs in your home since your insulation is not working as efficiently. Ultimately, finding wet insulation and having it replaced will save you a lot of money spent on wasted energy.

If you have any further questions regarding things on your home, you can contact us at 918-558-ROOF.



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