How Does Roof Vents Work

Soffit vents may leave air trapped at the top of your attic.

How does roof vents work.

Attic ventilation works on the principle that heated air naturally rises primarily utilizing two types of vents. Roof ventilation works by allowing air to flow through the attic which prevents it from becoming overheated and causing moisture. The vent stack is the pipe leading to the main roof vent. This will prevent black mold from growing in your attic keep your plywood from failing and help your shingles last as long as possible.

Ventilation only works when air flows. Flat roof vents have no moving parts to break or squeak but don t vent as much air as wind driven vents. Intake vents located at the lowest part of the roof under the eaves allow cool air to enter the attic. Wind driven roof vents will pull more air from the attic but only when the wind is blowing.

It is a vertical pipe attached to a drain line and runs through the roof of your home. Drip edge vents are a two in one installation that promote water shedding at the eaves and rakes of a roof while also allowing for ventilation into the attic. The vent pipes also allow oxygen into the waste pipes. It channels the exhaust gases to the vent and helps maintain proper atmospheric pressure in the waste system.

Hot air exhaust vents located at the peak of the roof allow hot air to escape. There are two primary methods to create air flow within an attic. Roof ventilation works to keep warm air and moisture out of the attic. These attic vents let out hot air like other types of vents but when the wind blows it pumps out even more hot air and this happens without using and electricity like a power attic fan.

A roof ventilation system works by providing a continual flow of air through the attic space helping remove overheated air and moisture from the attic and roof system and reduce the impact of changing temperatures and moisture conditions both inside and outside the home. All things being equal wind driven turbine vents also known as a whirlybird roof vent do move more air than flat vents but only when the wind blows. The vents also keep the air pressure the same on both sides of the trap. A drip edge vent is made of a corrosive resistant material that sticks out about three inches back from the roof edge and then bends downward over them.

The goal is to keep the attic space in your home dry and cool. Static roof line vents are effective for ventilation but generally aren t recommended due to issues with leaks. Most effective ventilation uses a ridge and soffit continuous ventilation system but even these designs can vary from roof to roof. Requires a power source.