Finding water damage on walls or ceilings is worrying for any homeowner. Most may assume this is caused by a leaking roof, but that might not be the source. During winter months, water found in these places is commonly caused by condensation in the attic. Fixing this issue can be less costly than replacing a roof, but it should be addressed as soon as possible.
During extremely cold weather, frost accumulates in your attic. When warm air from your heated home rises and seeps into the attic space, that frost melts and creates condensation that can damage your home.
Knowing how to spot the warning signs of a roof leak can help you distinguish one from condensation. Inspect the ceiling on the inside of your home for bubbled paint, dark water stains, dripping water, or a musty smell. Then, once you're done with the inside of your home, head outside to check areas commonly prone to leaks, like roof valleys, the chimney, windows or skylights, and damaged shingles. Also check to see if your roof is sagging or if there is noticeable algae growth on the shadier areas.
If you can’t identify any exterior damage to your roof or track down a leak, the source of your water damage is likely water condensation.
Condensation can cause mold and poor air quality and can lead to ceiling collapse, so it should be inspected immediately. Hiring a professional to inspect the damage may be the best way to identify the safest approach for your home.
In addition to heating your home, daily routines like cooking over the stove or taking a hot shower also create condensation. Cultivating some simple habits will help reduce the impact of these tasks. If taking the steps below doesn't solve your condensation problems, they may be due to poor ventilation or insufficient insulation.
It's a common misconception that you closing air vents in unused rooms is a good way to save money. In fact, however, decreasing air circulation can actually damage your HVAC system and compromise your ventilation, resulting in condensation. Open all vents, and make sure they are working properly to ensure this isn’t the source of the moisture issue.
It seems like a small step, but exhaust fans are an essential part of reducing humid air that can leak into other areas of your home. Run the exhaust fans whenever you’re cooking or taking a bath or shower. In bathrooms, best practice is to run the fan for 30–60 minutes to return humidity levels back to normal.
Many people run humidifiers in their home during the winter if they feel the air is dry. While this is fine on occasion, overuse can create excess humidity, resulting in condensation. If you find find condensation on your windows, this could be an early indication that your humidifier is the source. Learn more from our previous post about using humidifiers in your home.
If you have taken the proper steps to remove excess humid air from your home, and you're still having condensation issues, it might be time to check the attic insulation. Insulation is responsible for keeping warm air inside your living space and out of the attic, where it can lead to condensation. To save time and better pinpoint the problem, you can hire a professional to inspect your insulation and fill any gaps that might be letting warm air into the space.
Poor ventilation causes a lot of issues for homeowners. Your ventilation system should extract warm air from the attic and replace it with cool, dry air via a soffit. If the system is working properly, it will prevent moisture and mold. This not only will help to solve condensation issues but also improve air quality and make your home more energy efficient.
If you need help finding the source of your water damage, Hedrick Construction can inspect your home to identify the problem and provide assistance with insulation, ventilation, or roof repair.