Many people do not even think about loft ventilation until there is an issue. It could be that they have gone into the loft to retrieve something stored away there and notice mould on surfaces or condensation on roof timbers, whatever it is, it is vitally important that action is taken to rectify the poor ventilation issues that are causing these problems as soon as possible.

Condensation in the loft will not only cause damage to anything stored up there but it can permeate the loft insulation reducing its effectiveness and if the loft insulation gets damp it is very difficult to get it to dry out. Left untreated it will usually cause damp patches to appear on the ceilings below. So, what is adequate loft ventilation and how can homeowners check that their loft has enough?

Before doing anything else it is a good idea to carry out an inspection of the air vents that are usually put in place when a building is constructed. There should be grilles in the soffit boards which allow air to circulate through the loft. If these are blocked by insulation or things that are being stored in the loft the flow of air will be interrupted and the ventilation will not be adequate. Simple unblocking these vents may be all that is needed to rectify the issue. If this is not possible it may be better to get a roofing expert to come in and fit new vents in the roof so that the ventilation in the loft in reinstated.