We have a torch down roof with no vents! The soffits have intake vents. Do we need roof vents??

Question

Our roof has no outside vents, only soffit vents. We noticed the extreme heat in the attic and wonder if we should add the roof vents. If so how do you add vents to a torch down roof that is 10 years old. There are no leaks or other problems we are aware of.

Answer 1

Get the roofer back there to install some vents. You need 1 sq. ft. of vent for every 300 square feet of attic. The soffit vents are useless without venting located higher up the roof to allow the air to move.

This won't change the temperature of the attic much, but it will prolong the life of your insulation and roof deck. (Most roofing material manufacturers require that their products only be installed on a properly vented roof structure.)

Answer 2

By 'torch down roof', do you mean asphalt shingles applied with a torch or a smooth surface "brai" roof? Or is it flat?

I could ask more questions...

If it has a pitch, you probably can add a vent near the top, but talk to a good local roofer first (even if you plan to do it yourself).

Good luck.

Answer 3

You have a membrane roof, and the attic is hot.  You have soffit vents only.  

While you could put a turbine style roof vent to supplement the ventilation, you would have to cut a hole in the roof and your membrane roof.  Generally, not a good idea unless you are a roofing professional.  

If you have room at the edges for a powered fan, that might be an option, to force the air up through the soffit vents and out of the attic.  These are usually thermostatically controlled.  

They also make powered fans for the roof, that have caps.  These are less prone to leakage than turbine vents, because they have caps.  However, they should also be installed by a professional since you are cutting a hole in the roof.  

Answer 4

I'm really not sure what your roof looks like, but I do know that having only the soffit vents is only letting air in, it needs to be able to come in and push the hot air up and out through vents, as in a conventional pitched roofed house, that would be ideal for roof vent. You say it's a torched roof, do you mean it is a flat roof with rubber roofing?  

Answer 5

i would leave the roof alone i see no problems with it.the vents you have are enough don't fix something that is not broken.

Answer 6

usually you need both vents.  You could install and ridge cap which vents right on top of the ridge of the roof.  You simply take off the ridge caps and put the vent on top of the ridge.  Make sure there is a gap for your air to vent.  You can the put your ridge caps right over the vent to give it a finished look.  From the street you can't even tell.  But your should talk to a roofer first to see if this is good for your particular house.