Condensation Build Up: Is it a roofing or humidity Issue?
Each year, Showalter Roofing receives numerous calls for condensation problems. Many times after we visit the home and inspect the attic, we find it to be a humidity issue.
When temperatures plummet as typical Chicago weather proves each year, homeowners begin to notice moisture in the attic. Most times it’s due to the humidifiers directly installed on furnaces. If the humidity level on the inside…is above the level on the outside, condensation builds in our attics.
Take a trip up to your attic early in the morning. If you see a layer of frost on the underside of the plywood, it’s most likely condensation. As the outside temperature rises this frost will melt and water spots may occur on your ceiling.
If you notice moisture confined to a specific area of the roof decking, that’s most likely going to be a roofing problem. Call Showalter Roofing at 630.499.7700 to conduct a complete evaluation to verify a roofing issue.
Here are the Top 3 Ways Homeowners Can Combat Condensation Issues:
- Turn the humidifier down on your furnace especially when it’s really cold outside. It doesn’t seem logical, however the furnace is turning on more frequently causing an increase of humidity in the air. To see a chart for setting your humidistat go to: http://www.showalterroofing.com/Condensation.php
- Check your clothes dryer. Your dryer may not be hooked up properly. If warm moist air is getting into your home from the clothes dryer, it will end up in the attic.
- Check if your bathroom fan is connected properly. If there is a problem, the warm moist air will quickly reach the attic.
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How to Remove an Ice Damming Problem
Ice Damming is mostly due to heat loss and poor ventilation.
Showalter Roofing has received many calls on ice damming. Especially this winter with the numerous below zero days along with the melting and freezing process, the problem has been worst than ever.
Here’s what happens: Heat loss that escapes into the attic, due to poor insulation or ventilation, causes the snow on the roof to melt. The melted snow now flows down the roof to the bottom edge of the roof where it refreezes because there is no heat in the overhangs of your home. At first it causes icicles which look nice until they become dangerously large and heavy. The freeze/thaw cycle also causes a build-up of ice along the bottom edge that eventually gets so thick that water can no longer flow off the roof and it backs up under the shingles causing leaks along the outside edge of your home.
Our teams at Showalter Roofing can help you know what to do in the event ice damming happens on your roof. Take a look at our dedicated page on ice damming. It’s what every home owner needs to know. As always, let me know if the article helped you out.
