moisture in attic
#1
12-09-02, 11:36 AM
moisture in attic
I have recently moved into this property and after gaining access to the attic I have found a large amount of moisture. A puddle 4FT X 1FT X 1inch deep. The entire outer surface is covered in moisture yet no one has been in the attic for at least 2 years, although there is no evidence of any long term damage.
Question 1. Can this possible happen in a short space of time even though no one has been in the attic?
Question 2. Is there a simple solution?
Question 1. Can this possible happen in a short space of time even though no one has been in the attic?
Question 2. Is there a simple solution?
#2
12-09-02, 02:26 PM
Where did you find the moisture puddle area?? Is it under any openings in the roof.....if so, then you have a leak from the roof...as it sounds like it is a definitely a roof leak that only leak when it either rain or snow melting....
Look for any openings or water marks on the vent openings in the attic...
Rick
Look for any openings or water marks on the vent openings in the attic...
Rick
#3
12-09-02, 11:48 PM
the roof space is a small crawl area there are no visible hole/s however the condensation is across the entire roof area. the only possible explanation is condensation. I have been unable to locate the air vents which must be in the soffit boards somewhere. this still does not explain why this amount of condensation is present in the loft area?
According to the previous occupants they never had any problems with the roof area.
There is a small water tank (Use unknown) the trap door has always been closed although some bags and boxes have been added since we moved in.
This has got me flummoxed......
Posty
According to the previous occupants they never had any problems with the roof area.
There is a small water tank (Use unknown) the trap door has always been closed although some bags and boxes have been added since we moved in.
This has got me flummoxed......
Posty
#4
12-10-02, 05:53 AM
Ok as you had mentioned that it is small crawl space there....is I would suggest to remove the boxes and the small water tank and inspect them (for water "marks").....as it is possible the water tank did leaked somehow...if those doesn't show any leaks or anything, then check the ceiling area in the attic and look for water marks....
The puddle is a sign of the leak somewhere...as if it was all over, you would have a "water lines" (like river when you are 2 miles up in the sky...)...and also check under the insulation to see if they are wet or not....
There has to be a way for the puddle to appear that size which it is either a leak from the roof or the water tank....the condensation can't create that much of water puddle......I don't agree with your findings of "condensation".....it would have to be a "hot spa" (like a steam room) to create that big puddle....
I know it is pain in the butt to try to find it....but hafta to keep trying to search for the answer, remember this, the "truth" will come out at the end no matter how hard you try....so keep trying hard to pinpoint the problem...
Rick
The puddle is a sign of the leak somewhere...as if it was all over, you would have a "water lines" (like river when you are 2 miles up in the sky...)...and also check under the insulation to see if they are wet or not....
There has to be a way for the puddle to appear that size which it is either a leak from the roof or the water tank....the condensation can't create that much of water puddle......I don't agree with your findings of "condensation".....it would have to be a "hot spa" (like a steam room) to create that big puddle....
I know it is pain in the butt to try to find it....but hafta to keep trying to search for the answer, remember this, the "truth" will come out at the end no matter how hard you try....so keep trying hard to pinpoint the problem...
Rick
#6
12-12-02, 08:52 PM
Your description indicates condensation. The small water tank you refer to is probably an expansion tank provided you have a hot water heating system. These tank are usually open type of system. We do not see to many of these in the U. S. so they are uncommon to us. Over the years I might have seen 30 out of 30,000 homes. These tanks usually have a pipe the penetrates the roof to vent. I have seen some or most that did not do this. If it is not an open system, you will see a pressure relief valve and/or an air vent valve on or near the tank.
I am assuming the house is over 60 years old, which would explain why there are no attic vents. The insulation was probably added afterwards. Another explanation for the lack of vents would be your area experiences a considerably amount of humid weather. Another could be you either have a slate, thatched or wood shake roof.
What I can say for sure by your description is if this occurred for any length of time with this amount of moisture, there would be structual damage. Also, since you only mentioned one puddle and condensation is everywhere else, the source of the moisture may be localized or the area where the puddle is, is the lowest point in the attic floor.
I am going to take a wild guess here, have your heating system serviced by a professional and make sure he inspects and services the tank in the attic.
I am assuming the house is over 60 years old, which would explain why there are no attic vents. The insulation was probably added afterwards. Another explanation for the lack of vents would be your area experiences a considerably amount of humid weather. Another could be you either have a slate, thatched or wood shake roof.
What I can say for sure by your description is if this occurred for any length of time with this amount of moisture, there would be structual damage. Also, since you only mentioned one puddle and condensation is everywhere else, the source of the moisture may be localized or the area where the puddle is, is the lowest point in the attic floor.
I am going to take a wild guess here, have your heating system serviced by a professional and make sure he inspects and services the tank in the attic.
#7
12-17-02, 08:27 AM
Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: NC
Posts: 113
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes
on
0 Posts
Do you have can lights in the ceiling just below the attic? If so, are the cans the air tight kind? If not, from what I understand, you can actually have rain in your attic in the Winter, since a standard, non-air tight, can can let in lots of moisture into your attic. I don't remember the stats, but the moisture transfer was measured in large fractions of gallons per hour...can that be right?
#8
12-17-02, 10:28 AM
It is possible that recessed ceiling lights can allow large amounts of moisture in attics. The rain that you refer to is when the heat condenses on the nails that protrude the roof and drips off the nails onto the floor. When this is occurring it appears that it is raining in the attic. When it is not, we see water marks on the attic floor directly below the nails.
Even though this is considered a lot of water in an attic, this case clearly exceeds it. There are signs that indicate this by his description. Condensation is everywhere and a puddle a 1/4 inch deep on the floor. Since the condensation is not freezing, for condensation to be everywhere with a puddle of water present, it would mean the wood members in the attic are saturated. Most wood is saturated at 30% and considering the amount of wood in an average attic, we are talking literally hundered of pounds of water. Or if you prefer a fairly large bathtub filled with water.
The other indicators are, he reported no signs on the walls or ceiling below the attic, like water stains, and he was surprized to see the moisture in the attic. This means this occurred in a brief period of time and with that amount of moisture, more than 2 gallons per hour. What supports his statement that the roof is not leaking is the condensation being everywhere. But the amount of moisture indicated water source and could not be a heat source created by the attic by-pass phenomena or stack effect.
There are only a few things in our homes that can produce that much water per hour. Clothes dryer exhausting into the attic. A bathroom exhaust doing the same. A kitchen exhaust too with the oven being used a lot or a heating system.
His description is quite vague, the only clue in it that provided me with a possible source of the moisture was the small tank, which would have to be part of the heating system. A small leak in an air vent valve on an expansion tank could release that much water vapor in the attic per hour.
Even though this is considered a lot of water in an attic, this case clearly exceeds it. There are signs that indicate this by his description. Condensation is everywhere and a puddle a 1/4 inch deep on the floor. Since the condensation is not freezing, for condensation to be everywhere with a puddle of water present, it would mean the wood members in the attic are saturated. Most wood is saturated at 30% and considering the amount of wood in an average attic, we are talking literally hundered of pounds of water. Or if you prefer a fairly large bathtub filled with water.
The other indicators are, he reported no signs on the walls or ceiling below the attic, like water stains, and he was surprized to see the moisture in the attic. This means this occurred in a brief period of time and with that amount of moisture, more than 2 gallons per hour. What supports his statement that the roof is not leaking is the condensation being everywhere. But the amount of moisture indicated water source and could not be a heat source created by the attic by-pass phenomena or stack effect.
There are only a few things in our homes that can produce that much water per hour. Clothes dryer exhausting into the attic. A bathroom exhaust doing the same. A kitchen exhaust too with the oven being used a lot or a heating system.
His description is quite vague, the only clue in it that provided me with a possible source of the moisture was the small tank, which would have to be part of the heating system. A small leak in an air vent valve on an expansion tank could release that much water vapor in the attic per hour.
