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 New Jersey
home inspection NJ home
inspectors perform
Certified New Jersey home
inspections in NJ.
91f
ATTIC VENTILATION:
Attic ventilation is necessary to maintain a
"healthy" attic. In hot weather attics
with insufficient ventilation can build up
excessive heat which can result in shortened
roof materials life. Lack of ventilation in cold
weather can lead to wood rot, caused by
condensation on the underside of the roof. Other
problems may include excessive cracking of the
ceilings. There are several calculations
necessary to determine the exact amount of
ventilation required in any structure. The
inspector does not make these calculations but
judges the situation against past experiences
and from the attic condition with respect to its
age. Some of the many methods of ventilating an
attic are listed below. Your attic will usually
have one or more of these vent systems. Gable
end vent: A gable end vent is a sheet metal or
wood framed vent placed at the gable ends of a
building. It provides an easy exit for stale and
superheated attic air. This type of vent is most
effective if located within the top half of a
gable end, but may be placed where ever
convenient by the builder. Dormer vents: Dormer
vents are vents which project out from sloped
roofs. They are used mostly on hip-roof systems
but may be found on any roof design. Usually
they are made of sheet metal and are designed
like roof jacks in that their metal edges slip
under the shingles. Cupola roof vent: A cupola
vent is a small roofed vent which usually sits
atop the roof ridge. It usually is highly
decorative and functional but often is only
decorative. Frieze block vents: Frieze block
vents are either rectangular sheet metal framed
vents covered with wire mesh and used between
rafters at the top plate line in place of a
frieze block or may be frieze blocks with
drilled holes covered with wire screen. The
intent of these vents is to allow air to enter
the attic for circulation to the higher-up vents
and assist in removal of stale or hot air. Attic
insulation should be kept from blocking these
vents.
The above information was provided by TWI Systems Copyright 1995-2005 1-800-553-5660 |
