Snow Shoveling Season!

When the snow keeps piling up, your roof shouldn’t have to carry the burden. A Plus Roofing provides expert roof-shoveling services to prevent ice dams, gutter damage, and winter leaks before they start. Our trained professionals use proven techniques to remove snow efficiently while protecting your roofing system.

One call brings peace of mind all winter long.
When Your Roof Can’t Breathe, Your Home Suffocates Too

When Your Roof Can’t Breathe, Your Home Suffocates Too

Here in Maine, we know what it means to hunker down for long winters, wet springs, and humid summers. But while you might be snug and warm inside, your roof is constantly battling the elements — and if it can’t breathe, the problems start stacking up fast.

Proper roof ventilation isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s one of the most overlooked yet essential systems that keeps your home healthy and your roofing investment protected. So, what really happens when your roof can’t breathe? Let’s lift the shingles and take a closer look.

1.  Moisture Gets Trapped — and That’s a Big Problem

Maine’s mix of snow, ice, and coastal humidity creates the perfect storm for trapped moisture. Without proper airflow through your attic, warm, moist air from your living spaces rises and condenses under the roof deck. Over time, that trapped moisture leads to:

  • Mold and mildew growth that can spread into your insulation and ceiling.

  • Rotting roof decking, which weakens structural integrity.

  • Warped shingles and underlayment, cutting years off your roof’s lifespan.

Think of it this way — if your roof is sweating, it’s already in trouble.

2.  Ice Dams Form and Damage Multiply

If your roof can’t release heat properly, snow melts unevenly. That melted snow refreezes along your eaves, forming ice dams — one of the most common winter roofing nightmares in Maine.

Ice dams push water back under shingles, leading to interior leaks, damaged drywall, and ruined insulation. What’s worse? Homeowners often think they just need “better insulation,” when the real fix is balanced ventilation — letting cold air flow in from the soffits and out through the ridge vent to keep the roof deck cool and consistent.

3.  Your Energy Bills Climb

Poor ventilation doesn’t just harm your roof — it hits your wallet too. When heat gets trapped in your attic, your HVAC system has to work overtime to cool your home in summer and keep it even in winter.

That means:

  • Higher energy bills year-round

  • Shortened HVAC system lifespan

  • Uneven room temperatures — especially in upper floors

A properly ventilated roof works like your home’s lungs — constantly exchanging stale air for fresh, reducing humidity, and balancing temperatures naturally.

4.  Shingles Age Before Their Time

Your shingles are built to handle sun, snow, and storms — but not trapped heat. A poorly ventilated attic can reach 150°F or more in the summer, essentially baking your shingles from underneath.

The results?

  • Cracked, curled, or blistered shingles

  • Faded granules that weaken UV protection

  • Premature roof replacement long before the warranty expires

That’s why even the best roofing materials (like Dynasty shingles or metal roofing) perform best when paired with a healthy ventilation system.

5.  Indoor Comfort Declines — and So Does Air Quality

You might notice musty odors, increased allergies, or a “stuffy” feeling throughout the house. That’s not just coincidence — it’s your home telling you there’s too much humidity trapped in the attic and not enough airflow.

A roof that can’t breathe can quietly affect your entire indoor environment, causing air quality issues and even contributing to wood swelling, peeling paint, and soft drywall seams.

6.  The Fix: Balanced Ventilation Designed for Maine Homes

At A Plus Roofing, we don’t just install roofs — we build complete roofing systems designed for Maine’s four seasons. That means ensuring your soffit, ridge, and gable vents are properly balanced and your attic has the right intake and exhaust flow.

When your roof breathes right:

✅ Moisture escapes naturally

✅ Shingles last longer

✅ Ice dams are minimized

✅ Energy costs drop

✅ Your whole home feels more comfortable

7.  Don’t Wait Until There’s a Leak

The trouble with ventilation issues is that they’re often invisible — until it’s too late. If your home has:

  • Ice dams each winter

  • A musty attic smell

  • Hot upper floors

  • Peeling paint or ceiling stains

…it’s time to get a professional inspection.

At A Plus Roofing, our experienced Maine roofing team will evaluate your roof’s ventilation system, insulation, and overall condition to ensure it’s working with your home — not against it.

Breathe New Life Into Your Roof

A healthy home starts at the top. Whether you have asphalt shingles, metal roofing, or a rubber roof, we can help your system perform its best year after year.

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