What Happens if Vents Don't Open in an Attic?

Roof, Shingle and Insulation Rotting

• If one or more of the vents in your attic do not open, your home's roof shingles, rafters and insulation will not receive adequate ventilation, which can result in rotting. The rotting begins inside and moves to your roof's shingles and outer wood elements -- framing, eaves and other elements..

Higher Energy Bills

• The second problem you can encounter with closed attic vents is higher home energy bills. This is due to hot air being trapped in the attic and not escaping properly through the vents. Heat from the sun warms your home's roof, even during the winter months; this heat needs to escape the attic through the vents.

Moisture Buildup

• Non-working vents also contribute to moisture building up in your home's attic as well as in other parts of your home. The moisture will appear as water drops or frost on your attic's windows and on materials in the attic including rafters, items stored in the space and the flooring.

Ice Dams During Winter Months

• Hanging pieces of thick ice, known as ice dams, on the eaves in your attic during the winter months are also a result of non-working attic vents. Warm air from other parts of your ice rises to the attic and freezes, resulting in ice dams.