What Ventilation Does
In summer, it exhausts superheated attic air (140°F+) that bakes shingles from underneath. In winter, it removes moisture that causes mold and wood rot. Year-round, it keeps attic temperature closer to outside temperature.
How It Should Work
Balanced system: cool air enters through soffit vents (low, at eaves), rises through the attic picking up heat and moisture, and exits through ridge vents (high, at the peak). This continuous airflow is the goal.
Common Problems in Charles County
Many older homes have ridge vents but blocked or inadequate soffit vents — all exhaust, no intake. Others have power attic fans that can actually pull conditioned air from the living space. Bath fans venting into the attic (not outside) dump moisture where it causes the most harm.
Fixing It
Best done during roof replacement, but retrofits are possible. We assess ventilation in every free inspection.