Blackstone Exteriors

Moisture can have damaging effects on your roof. According to roofing contractors, this is due to the presence of humidity inside your home. Indoor moisture might seem harmless, but it can compromise your roof’s longevity, performance and structural integrity. Read on as we discuss the impact of humidity on roofing systems.

From Where Is Indoor Moisture Coming?

To better understand indoor humidity and why it is considered a threat to your roof, we must first discuss the various sources of moisture from within your home. Daily activities like cooking food, taking a hot bath and washing dishes and laundry release moisture into the air in the form of steam, raising relative indoor humidity levels. If your home has a heating system that uses water, it may also release steam from the basement. Moisture from your leaky plumbing system evaporates and mixes with the indoor air.

The Effects of High Indoor Humidity

Excess humidity inside your home can make everyone in your household feel uncomfortable. It can also damage décor and furniture, as well as encourage the growth of mold and mildew. It also rises and collects in your attic. If there’s no adequate roof ventilation, the warm, humid air turns into liquid droplets. They begin to form and cause damage to the wooden and metal components of your roof’s structural support. If not addressed promptly, the deck and rafters may start to deteriorate because of rot, weakening the entire structure and shortening the lifespan of your roofing system.

Protecting Your Roof From High Humidity

Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to keep your roof safe and sound from the threat of high humidity. Get in touch with your roofing repair contractors, and have them inspect your roof to see if it has adequate ventilation. A well-ventilated roof has ridge vents for exhausts and soffit vents for intake to promote air circulation throughout the attic and minimize the damaging effects of moisture.

As for your home’s relative indoor humidity levels, make sure you keep it between 30% and 50%. Use a hygrometer for this. To absorb excess moisture in the air, consider investing in a dehumidifier. There are standalone units available for use in individual rooms, but there are also those that can dehumidify your entire home.

Looking for a “roofing contractor near me” on the internet? Keep Blackstone Exteriors top-of-mind. Call (515) 344-1323, or fill out our contact form to schedule an estimate.