The very practices of tightening up homes for energy efficiency can result in new formations and problems. We know - we get the calls every winter, usually subsequent to new home renovation work (by others) that has been done for purposes of tightening up a home. The creation of new concentrations of moisture and/or Dew Points by misguided contractors can become monumental problems for the homeowner. We endeavor to prevent these issues in all of our installations. Bad building practice causes Mold problems . . . . . .and Mold is serious business - even once considered a "Plague" of Biblical Proportion: Not to be taken lightly: Some strong measures were taken against mold since the times of old: Conditions that promote mold: Moisture, Warmth, and Food (Organic material) Proper roof ventilation can be the answer to many of these problems. Visit the following links to find out more about how to inhibit mold growth or decrease the level of conditions that favor mold growth and summer severe heat buildup that threaten many homes' roofs and structures: Do not mix Bad Vent Specs Cause Woes Mixing Vents & Black Mold Why we Insist Fiberglass Roofing must be ventilated properly Warranties are voided Remember with Four Seasons - You receive an FHA Ventilation Footprint recommendation for Validation of your Roofing Warranty! Otherwise, no matter how good it sounds, the warranty may as well be written on swiss cheese - It is full of holes!

Informative Movie from independent home inspector can be seen on You TUBE (loads in a new window)

Warm Air is a Moisture Conduit
It is not the outside conditions such as the wind, but interior heat that is the conduit that carries with it most of the harmful moisture within residential dwellings. The sources of the most damaging moisture are not rain or snow or ice from the outside, but the very every day activities that produce water vapor within the home. This vapor is picked up and carried by warm air. Whatever the humidity level within a home during the winter, warm moisture laden air escapes the living area of the dwelling. Just as your breath immediately will fog the inside of your cold automobile’s windshield in the winter, so will warm attic air carry moisture up to the back side of the cold roof deck and there, drop its moisture. The nails of the installed roofing system, transfer cold right into the attic space. Frost can often be seen inside the attic, especially forming on the nail shanks. The attic can then take on a terrarium effect and actual rain-like precipitation begins to fall onto the attic floor.

Moist Fiberglass Insulation
In most attics, fiberglass insulation is on the attic floor. When this insulation which relies on trapped air pockets to perform gets wet, it flattens out and looses its insulative properties. Mold often grows in moist, warm attics as mold spores are carried by air and can be found virtually anywhere. The overall heath of the inhabitants of the dwelling is at risk in serious cases. A comparison has been made before, that when a person takes a tee shirt prematurely out of the dryer and puts it on, it becomes readily apparent to that person that a rapid loss of body heat from the damp garment is occurring. That person gets a chill from having worn a slightly damp garment. This is similar to the condition of insulation that begins to get wet from falling condensation in the attic. Heat from the home is drawn into moist, cooler insulation, just like that damp tee shirt. The insulation barrier that is supposed to be an energy conservation asset and reflect heat has now become a liability, and the heating system is working harder and using more energy. The degree of moisture within the insulation that causes this effect cannot always be detected by feeling the fiberglass with the human hand.

Vapor Barriers
Millions of dollars are haphazardly spent on Vapor Barriers and Air Barriers every year. The emphasis has been on the outside of the building during renovation work. This tightening of the shell of the building actually causes more problems for moisture condensation, especially in the attic. New underlayment techniques are providing barriers that when cold, cause warm, moisture laden air to drop its moisture. Hence the "Air Barriers" may become "Vapor Barriers." whatever the perm rating, given inadequate planning and methodologies.

Solutions
The solutions are simple to offer, but sometimes costly to implement. One, of course, is to properly ventilate your attic, ensuring all openings are working in a convective balance according the square footage of the home. This is easily done and it is a very important part of retrofitting a roofing system. It must be done properly, however, and not with a shotgun approach. Another solution is to properly insulate the attic so that the attic is cold and not warm in the winter. The best way to stop the water vapor from condensating is to install a vapor barrier on the warm side of the living area. This can be done when renovating the interior of the home or with application of some enamel paints. An anti-mold agent can also be added by your painter for the interior living area side of the environment.

We provide you with a written ventilation recommendation based upon government specifications. With this form and your new roof, you have added value and assurance that your roofing system will last the test of time.

Moisture From Improper Exterior Siding Work

Phantom Leaks

When Siding Leaks

Vinyl Siding - expected to leak by 'experts'

 

Call us or drop an email (click below) for an estimate and we will be happy to explain.

CONTACT US		AWARD OF EXCELLENCE		CHANGE ORDERS BEWARE		OUR CHALLENGE		MOISTURE
We won't leave you waiting around. Our estimators are on the road Mon - Sat, so feel free to request a no-hassle estimate.		WINNER! Press Release for 2005 award winner for the inovative use of Certainteed Weatherboards Fiber Cement Siding		“What is a change order?” you may ask. A Change Order is usually an addition to a contract. It usually is caused by the ......		Our Challenge to Consumers Our challenge is simple. We want you to call our competitors....		Please read our experiences in homes with condensation, mold, frost, ruined insulation, etc.
VENTILATION		ICE AND WATER SHIELD		TYPES OF SIDING		WINDOWS		COLORVIEW
Please read about our unique approach to a truly misunderstood issue.		Please read our strong feelings about the misuse of these super quality underlayments.		...A little history of the current types in use.		Quality varies and an informed consumer is our best customer.		will help you to decide upon product selections, colors, and styles of exterior products.
BACK TO FOUR SEASONS HOME				FIBERGLASS ROOFING SHINGLES		VENTILATION IMPERATIVE		GUTTER SCREENS, GUARDS, HELMET.
				A little history, unique characteristics.		Press Release Re: The Residential Roofing Ventilation Imperative		....From a roofer's perspective...

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