Roof vent damaged by hail

Fortunately here in the Twin Cities we've been having relatively mild weather recently. But you know that won't last.  No matter what season it is, a lot of severe storms can blow through the Minneapolis area. We get hail, blizzards, high winds, tornadoes, and heavy rain storms.  These weather conditions can cause problems with the exterior of a home, particularly the roof.  Often-overlooked spots that can get damaged are the roof vents as well as gas exhaust vents Those ridge and other roof vents that allow air flow underneath your roof are crucial. The venting pipes for your gas also need to be in good working order. While you might not realize it, maintaining this ventilation is more important than you think.

When the ventilation is not working the way it was designed to, then you need to get repairs made to ensure that your home is getting the proper airflow. Having adequate attic ventilation reduces the chances of having any issues, including serious health threats for those living in your home.

Roofs Support Different Ventilation Types

Many modern homes today have been built with the ability to have multiple ventilation systems. These components can be mixed and matched, and they can help to reduce the chance of having a backup of gas flow inside the home from a furnace or other appliance. These ducts are there to provide this type of ventilation and if they aren't working, then it is going to be hard to get any airflow moving through the home.

  • One type of vent that is found in a home is known as a plumbing-stack vent. This outlet releases any sewer gases from inside the home. You want the flow from this ventilation to flow out smoothly and to work as it should, so this gas does not flow back into your house.
  • Another ventilation type is the exhaust fan. This vent is there to remove a lot of the moisture from the home. Warm, moist air is pulled from the inside of the home and then released from the top of the house. They remove this air from the clothes dryers, stove tops and and the bathrooms inside the home.
  • The third type is a combustion vent. If your home burns any type of fuel for heating, then you need this vent to make sure the fumes from furnace or other heat source doesn't result in an explosion. It is exactly what it is called.
  • Your roof should also have a fourth type of vent on the roof, which is the attic vent. Roof vents may be mounted on the ridge of the roof, on the slopes, and in the soffits around the edge of the roof. This is the type of vent that provides a way to remove the heat and moist air from inside the attic. It's also the source of fresh, cool air being brought into the attic space. It is essential at keeping the moisture under control. Roof ventilation is essential to prevent ice dams and prolong the life of a roof.
There are a lot of other points to consider when you are thinking about what a storm might have done to your home.  There are troubles that can come from not getting storm damage repaired quickly. Watch our blog for our upcoming part two for a bit more information, or contact us to check out your vents. Quarve Contracting, Inc. is a licensed Minnesota storm damage repair contractor serving the greater Minneapolis metro area.