Venting a shed roof ?

[Sam Morris]

House with vaulted ceilings, with a shed roof and NO ventilation. Would this be a reason for concern?

[Raymond Wand]

Other than the missing plumbing stack, my question would be what does the inside look like? Any water stains? Age of shingles, history of roof from vendor? Age of house?

Other concerns that could lead to hidden rot/mould would be how the roof was constructed/insulation.

[Vern Heiler]

House with vaulted ceilings, with a shed roof and NO ventilation. Would this be a reason for concern?
I think I would call it a "salt box" roof, which is a variation of gable roof design. The other thing is there are two different roofing materials, suggesting almost half of the roof was replaced. Most local codes require that all of the roofing be replaced if there is more than 25% replaced. Might want to check for permit? Is there any attic area and is there any air space between the roof and ceiling of the vaulted section?

[Mike Lamb]

...my question would be what does the inside look like? Any water stains? Age of shingles, history of roof from vendor? Age of house?


These are the questions you want to be answering. Add peeling paint to the list.

The test of time is an important consideration with roof/attic ventilation.

[Rick Cantrell]

House with vaulted ceilings, with a shed roof and NO ventilation. Would this be a reason for concern?

I presume you mean a vaulted ceiling without an attic space above the ceiling.
No, this is not a concern.
There is not an attic to ventilate.

[Sam Morris]

I presume you mean a vaulted ceiling without an attic space above the ceiling.
No, this is not a concern.
There is not an attic to ventilate.

Ceiling looked good, thanks for the info

[Mike Lamb]

Familiarize yourself with ICC R806.1 and 806.5 in the code book. You might want to comment in your your report that you saw no ventilation and no signs that there were any problems not having it.

[Rick Cantrell]

Familiarize yourself with ICC R806.1 and 806.5 in the code book. You might want to comment in your your report that you saw no ventilation and no signs that there were any problems not having it.

Good point
However, lacking any evidence of defect or improper construction, I see no need to include it in the report.
There are provisions in the code that allow this feature, and it is not uncommon to see.

[Raymond Wand]

You haven't told us anything about the age of the house and construction.
Nor the ceiling finish so how can we come to the conclusion its okay if its not ventilated?
Therefore you should add that the possibility exist that there is hidden damage and further investigation may be warranted. Particularly if there is an gap above the insulation rather then rafters being solid packed with insulation, ventilated or not.

How to Build an Insulated Cathedral Ceiling | GreenBuildingAdvisor.com (http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/how-build-insulated-cathedral-ceiling)

Further since the plumbing stack is missing you had also better report the abscence and state that water could have entered and created mould/rot - again requiring further investigation.

[Rick Cantrell]

...so how can we come to the conclusion its okay if its not ventilated? ...


Although you did not say so, I presume you meant me.
I did not come to a conclusion, based on standard allowable construction practices, I presumed.




Therefore you should add that the possibility exist that there is hidden damage and further investigation may be warranted. Particularly if there is an gap above the insulation rather then rafters being solid packed with insulation, ventilated or not.

How to Build an Insulated Cathedral Ceiling | GreenBuildingAdvisor.com (http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/how-build-insulated-cathedral-ceiling)


Since this is a feature that is not that uncommon and has provisions in the code that allow it, I presume it was constructed to the standards of it's day. You even provided a link explaining it.
Lacking any evidence to the contrary, I see no reason to presume otherwise.
Sure, it could have been constructed improperly, but is there evidence to think it was. Just because it "could" have been done wrong, does not mean it was done wrong.
Example: I presume that an exterior wall or a slab has the proper water barrier installed. I presume this even though I cannot see the water barrier. Therefore I do not report on the possible ill effects of what may happen if the water barrier was not installed.

Added in edit
If we were to report on every possible effect of improper construction that could exist, without evidence of such, we would need a fork loft to deliver the report.
In my opinion, that is just fluff or trying to CYA, it's not reporting the findings of a home inspection.

[Raymond Wand]

But the presumptions are based on few facts provided by Sam. Assumptions can't be made without all the facts which I listed as missing.

For my liking and that of the client I would alert them there could be concealed damage based on construction method, insulation method, insulation amount, type, lack of vapour barrier/paint, blah.. blah.. The diagram may not even illustrate what is present as provided by three photos.

My take.

[Lon Henderson]

House with vaulted ceilings, with a shed roof and NO ventilation. Would this be a reason for concern?

No one has mentioned that poorly ventilated roofs with composition shingles in high sun areas will dramatically prematurely age the shingles.