Condensation in the attic,how do i cure it?

Answer 1

No matter how much insulation you have in your attic. It still needs a good venting system. Warm moist air comes in contact with the cold air in the attic and reaches its dew point and condensates.

Without a good venting system you will continue to have the problem of condensation. With a good working venting system you should stop this problem.
It will also allow the hot air of the summer to exscape to keep your home cooler in the summer.

Most homes have eve vents. They are located under the over hang of the roof. They work in conjunction with either vents on the roof . Or what are called gable vents, which are vents on the end of the upper portion of the wall.

Fresh air comes in the eve vents and flow out the roof or gable vents. Not as much these days. BUT, most homes 20 yrs ago or longer were built without enough vents. Either in the roof or in the eves or both.

Many people also put more insulation in their attics , which is a good thing. But, they covered the eve vents up in doing so. Which is a very bad thing. Check to make sure your eve vents are not covered by instulation. If your insulation is covering them . Clean it away from the vent or design a tube or something to channel the air up through the insulation so that it may breath.

There is an equation used by insulation companies to determine how many vents are needed per square footage of roof area. I am sorry I do not remember it but calling an insulation company in your area should give you the answeres for your area. Your attic area has got to breath . It will also allow your insulation to work better for you when it does. Both in heating as well as cooling. Moist insulation does not work well. Warm moist air is harder to heat then cool dry air.

If you live in a very humid area you may want to install a electric fan that will come on by itself and remove the hot moist air when it reaches the degree set by the fan system.

You may also check the moisture value in the living area of the home. Having a lot of plants puts out alot of moisture. Check to see that you have exaust fans in kitchen and bath rooms to remove moisture . AND USE THEM.

If I remember this right. A famely of 4 can put 6 gallons of moisture into the air of a home from cooking, bathing , washing cloths etc. etc. each day.

This should give you enough to get started to find out what it is you need to do. One more thing. Putting extra roof vents on top of your roof is rather easy and that may be all you need. They do make a continuouse vent that follows the top pitch of the roof all the way along it. I like it the best . More work and expense then the other ones though. Use if replacing the roof maybe.

Answer 2

Condensation happens when moist air hits a cold surface. I once had a kitchen with terrible condensation problems and cured it completely by putting a cavity in the walls. The cavity acts as an insulating barrier so that the moist air inside the room is no longer in direct contact with the cold outer wall/roof etc. You could do the same in your attic if you were prepared to spend some cash. The simplest way is to nail plaster board onto the roof joists (the ones that support the weight of the roof tiles). If the joists are say 6" deep you will then have a 6" wall cavity. This will not only cure the condensation, it will also help loss of heat from your roof space.

Answer 3

Condensation In Attic

Answer 4

More ventilation you also need more insulation without a vapor barrier ventilation in conjunction with the insulation will solve the problem. Your attic needs to breathe whats happening is that warm air from the heated space (or living space) below is rising into the attic space and because of the lack of adequate ventilation the warm air is becoming trapped and forming condensation. Adding insulation (At least six inches more if possible) will slow the air down and make sure it has lost most of its warmth prior to entering the space. You had better deal with as soon as you can before you develop a problem with mold and or mildew. You also need to be sure none of your bathroom fans exhaust into the attic space this also will add to the problem.

Answer 5

First you should find out what is causing the condensation. Is there any water supply? Venting may help or it may make it worse depending on what is causing it. If no water supply is in the attic it may be that your insulation is to thin any not creating enough of a barrier which will lead to a dew covering most everything. In any case it is important that you get the moisture out as it will start molding it is not taken care of. A call to an insulation shop may be your best bet. They will come out to give you a quote but they should be able to explain what is happening.

Answer 6

check with your local building codes but used to be for every 300sq ft of living space you needed 1 Sq foot of vent for your attic. To vent your attic properly, you need clear (as in not plugged by insulation) soffit vents at the bottom of the slope for cold air to be drawn in. You also need exhaust vents at the pea(or close to it) so the hot air and moisture can escape. Without adequate ventilation, you are looking at a whole pile of potentially expensive problems, rotting of plywood on the roof deck, curling shingles to mildue and musty odour in the attic.

Answer 7

Condensation is brought about by using warmth moist air from say the bathtub or bathe , coming in to touch with a chilly merchandise and loosing warmth , and condensing. the subject is the air bypass over the cistern. attempt to container interior the cistern so as that the moist air won't come into touch with the chilly floor of the cistern. the actual subject interior the quantity of steam interior the bathing room ,loss of ventilation.

Answer 8

Do you have a water storage tank in your attic, if you have make sure that it is covered. If you haven't then you need a roofer to put a air vent in your roof, possibly two.

Answer 9

You need air flowing through the attic. I suggest you put vents in the soffitt to allow air in.

Answer 10

Install and attic fan and pull the moisture out.