During the summer, most homeowners have their air conditioning system in full use to keep their living space more comfortable. However, if their attic has not been properly sealed, they may be sharing some of that expensive air conditioned air with the attic. Even though hot air rises and cold air falls, hot air can still creep into the leaving space through holes in the attic while air conditioned air can still escape. This is why it is important for those who live in areas that experience extreme heat to investigate whether their attic has been air sealed. Because it can be difficult for homeowners to determine if the attic has been sealed, as they often do not know what to look for, an experienced Houston roofing contractor should be consulted for help.
When a roofer is called to check for air leaks, they may begin by searching at the level below the attic. They may investigate all of the light fixtures, fans and electrical outlets to determine if any air is moving through any potential holes. The roofer may also investigate anything else that may penetrate the ceiling, including pipes, flues or chimneys, HVAC ducts and the attic access hatch. If it appears that there are air leaks, the roofer will need to pull the insulation away from inside the attic to access the problem areas.
The roofers from Houston Restoration Services of Houston roofing companies in TX would be happy to answer any questions you have about residential roofing or remodeling.
They can then use a silicone caulk or acrylic latex to seal these areas.
For larger gaps, the roofer may use a low expansion polyurethane foam. As this foam is sprayed into the problem area, it expands to fill cracks and crevices that may be letting the air out. For smaller gaps, they may use caulk to seal the leaks.
Something that should be kept in mind is that the attic is not part of the building envelope. As such, the attic still requires ventilation. Air sealing simply keeps indoor air conditioned air from escaping into the attic. The attic's ventilation system allows fresh air to be drawn into the attic and for attic air to escape outdoors. In general, air sealing an attic does not necessarily take contractors very long to complete depending on the amount of air leaks that are found. However, the job is messy and there can be some repercussions if the homeowner attempts a "do it yourself" job. In worse case scenarios, remaining leaks will still allow air conditioned air to escape. A roofer may have to make a trip out to fix what was missed.
