Excess humidity inside your home leads to comfort issues, interior damage and mold and mildew growth. For residential roof repair and replacement experts like us, too much indoor moisture can also affect another area of your home: the roof.

Mold spots and stains on ceiling

Damage Caused by Humidity

Warm, humid air rises from your living spaces into the attic. Without the benefit of adequate ventilation, it turns into moisture through condensation, affecting your roof’s structural components that are made of wood and metal. Soon, mold and mildew begin to appear on the attic floor and joists. The decking or sheathing also becomes vulnerable to rot, further weakening your roof.

The Different Sources of Indoor Moisture

Moisture inside your home comes from various sources. Daily home activities like taking showers, cooking food or doing the laundry release moisture into the air in the form of steam, raising indoor humidity levels. The same thing can happen if you have home heating equipment that utilizes hot water that runs through the pipes. Plumbing leaks can also release moisture, which evaporates and mixes with the indoor air.

How to Protect Your Roof From Excess Humidity

Using a hygrometer helps you keep track of indoor humidity levels inside your home. Ideally, it should be within 30% and 50%. Also, make sure that your roof has enough ventilation. If you are planning to replace your old roof, be sure the residential roof installation contractor you work with knows the right amount of intake and exhaust vents your new roof will need. Federal law recommends a minimum of 1 square foot of attic ventilation for every 300 square feet of attic floor space.

Consider investing in a dehumidifier as well to lower indoor humidity levels. Standalone units are available and can be used for individual rooms. Whole-home dehumidifiers, however, are far more effective than their counterparts and can help reduce moisture inside your living spaces that would otherwise collect inside your attic and cause issues.

Count on Hershey Exteriors, Inc for your asphalt shingle and metal roof installation needs. Give us a call at (302) 569-9039, or fill out our contact form to request an estimate.