1. Make sure you have proper ventilation in the attic. Keep your soffit vent clear and open. Have a roofing professional check your roof and calculate the proper ventilation requirements. A well ventilated cold roof prevents ice dams. 2. If you have gutters on the house – keep them clean and free from leaf debris. 3. Ensure that your bathroom exhaust is vented through the roof and insulated if necessary. 4. Ductwork in the attic should be well insulated and sealed from leaks. 5. Air bypass – where warm air leaks through small cracks and openings – should be sealed. Check attic access ports in closets and can lights in the ceiling as potential areas of concern. HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE CONDENSATION ISSUES IN MY ATTIC? In addition to the visual external clues of ice dams, here are some tips to help you determine if you have condensation issues. 1. Check your attic for visual mold. 2. Check all penetrations in your ceilings such as light fixtures and make sure there is no excessive gaps between the fixtures and ceiling. 3. Make certain all drywall is finished properly with no gaps or cracks for moisture to migrate through. 4. Look for visible stains such as mold on the surfaces of the ceiling, walls of the living areas, floors, carpets, attic plywood sheathing, attic sidewalls, floor joist, wet insulation. 5. Check for moisture or high relative humidity over 65% and higher. 6. Smelling unusual musty or moldy odors is an indication that you may have a problem. High relative humidity or moisture may be the culprit. If you are still concerned, consider hiring a professional inspector, indoor air quality professional, and/or a professional that use moisture metres or thermography equipment to identify potential moisture issues that may lead to mold. Excerpts from Got Mold
Posted on: Wed, 12 Mar 2014 02:05:45 +0000
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