|
Can Do | |
| Home Inspections Inc. | ||
| 3032 S. Paseo Loma Circle | ||
| Mesa, AZ 85202-7951 | ||
| Voice or Fax 480-831-6237 | ||
| Arizona Home Inspections By |
| Arizona State Certified Home Inspector #39760 |
| Arizona Board of Technical Registration Firm #11968 |
| How can you tell if an attic has condensation problems, and to an exacting degree? | ||||
| Home Buyers Sellers Sample Report Pictures FAQs Email Us Attic-Roof Index |
Assume that it is
the middle of the summer, knowing that there can be no condensation in an
attic. A simple knowledge of physics is needed to easily understand this issue.
The warmer the air, the greater ability it has to retain moisture. The colder the air, the less ability it has to retain moisture. During the summer months, an attic can get very warm. The warm air will eliminate the formation of condensation. During the winter months, attics can get very cold, especially in colder climates. Note: Homes in warmer southern states will usually not experience winter condensation. Clue # 1: Since roofing nails are usually galvanized steel and are in direct contact with the exterior, and because their density will communicate the cold, the nails are the first place where moisture vapors turn to liquid. Rust forming on the nails is your first indication. This is very minor, and action is not necessary. Clue # 2: Since the nails are the first place where moisture forms, the wood sheathing adjacent to the nails will absorb the water and dark stains will appear. This is still minor, however, a recommendation to improve the ventilation is appropriate. Clue # 3: Depending on the amount of water that forms on the nails, stains may be apparent on the flooring (or holes/erosions in the insulation if there is no flooring). This would receive the same recommendation as clue #2. Clue # 4 - This is the first clue that will require action to reduce or eliminate condensation. The roof sheathing closest to the eaves on the northerly side of the house will start to form a light gray fungus/mold. Clue # 5 - The fungus will get darker and form at points higher on the northerly side. This condition should be addressed as soon as possible. Clue # 6 - The fungus starts to form on the southerly side of the roof sheathing and becomes even darker on the northerly side. This is a serious issue and the sheathing, especially on the north side, will soon begin to delaminate. Clue # 7 - The sheathing becomes worse and worse until most or all of the sheathing is black, wet and delaminated. When conditions are this extreme, there is a good possibility that the sheathing will have to be replaced. This will require the roofing to be replaced as well. |
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