Guide to Durable Attics Keeping attics dry and well- ventilated will help ensure durability and avoid moisture problems, while also lowering heating and cooling costs.

Moisture and Ventilation The number one enemy facing an attic is moisture. It can enter from any direction – above, below, or from the side – and it can warp and damage the iStockphoto #7512241 roof, render insulation useless, and A dry and well-ventilated attic will help avoid moisture problems and lower heating and cooling costs. create moisture problems in the main living areas of the house. Look for Signs of Water Intrusion Attic moisture intrusion is often The following are signs of possible water intrusion: closely linked to the next biggest problem facing the attic: improper • Warped or rotted wood soffit (eave) panels or its underlying horizontal ventilation. Avoiding moisture intru- (fascia) board sion and ensuring proper ventilation • Bubbled paint at fascia boards or soffits are the keys to a durable attic. You can ensure you have a durable attic • Worn or warped shingles at roof edges by following the steps outlined in this • Wet insulation in the attic, especially near the eaves guide either during the initial (new) • Mold or mildew on attic surfaces construction or as an energy-efficien- cy upgrade to an older home. • Warped or rotting wood in the attic

How Does Moisture Enter To determine whether moisture is entering your attic, schedule a visit by a the Attic? home performance contractor. To find one near you, check with the Building Moisture can enter the attic through Performance Institute. See Further Reading at the end of this fact sheet for various openings: more information.

• Leaks in the roof or improperly installed flashing around chimneys and other roof penetrations Vent Outside! • Water vapor entering the attic from Venting to the attic is a major source of moisture and is a bad practice. It can lead to mold inside or outside the home, without and moisture in the attic, and can negatively affect home health (and may violate local proper ventilation for it to escape building codes).Yet it is quite common to find houses in which kitchen ranges, bathroom • Ice dams in roof gutters causing exhaust fans, and dryers vent their moist air into the attic rather than outside where it water to seep under shingles and belongs. Correct this situation immediately if you find it in your home. Contact a professional leak into the house contractor as needed.

continued > Roof and Attic Components Install ridge baffles. Baffles or rafter vents are partitions stapled to Ridge Vent (Covered with shingles) the attic rafters near the floor. They ventilate by letting air and water that has entered the soffit vent to drain. Baffles also keep blanket or loose fill insulation away from eaves where it could get wet or dirty.

Roof Truss Sheathing Further Reading Bottom A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, Chord Drip Edge and Your Home, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency www.epa.gov/mold/moldguide.html Eaves Building Performance Institute 2x2 www.bpi.org

Fascia Board Soffit Wall Stud Fascia Cover DOE Guide to Air Sealing www.energysavers.gov/publications

DOE Guide to Home Insulation Steps to a Durable Attic around ductwork, wires, plumbing, www.energysavers.gov/publications Follow the steps outlined below to lighting fixtures, and around attic ToolBase Technology Inventory help you on your way to a durable entryways. See the DOE Guide to Air (Search “Roof”) attic. Sealing under Further Reading for more information. www.toolbase.org/techinventory Ensure a good roof. Although proper construction from the beginning will Properly insulate the attic, help protect attics from rain, snow, including the eaves. Inadequate and ice, weatherproofing after con- attic insulation allows heat to escape struction can also help. Flashing, a in the colder months, undermining type of weatherproofing in walls and attic durability and increasing home roofs, uses waterproof material like heating bills. See the DOE Guide sheet metal to fill spaces, stop water to Home Insulation under Further penetration, and prevent leaks. Reading for more information.

Seal air gaps or leaks into the attic. Ventilate the attic. Improper attic Warm, humid air from kitchens, ventilation allows moisture to build bathrooms, and dryers threatens up and can cause mold, ruin insula- attic durability. Many homes lack tion, and damage wood. Replacing Financial Incentives the panels covering the underside of sufficient air sealing between the top Tax credits, incentives, and rebates may be roof eaves (soffits) with ridged vents floor and attic space that can prevent available in your area. Please visit allows air to enter beneath the roof warm, humid air from kitchens, www.energysavers.gov/taxcredits for more bathrooms, and dryers from accessing overhang. Pair these with a ridge vent information. the attic. Check for leaks or gaps for increased effectiveness.

EERE Information Center 1-877-EERE-INFO (1-877-337-3463) www.energysavers.gov

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