Have you gone up to your home’s attic recently to find that it was surprisingly humid up there? You ask yourself “why is my attic so humid?” There are potentially several problems causing you have a high humidity attic, even with homes that have insulation in the attic or even finished attics.
One of the first things you should check is for any visible wood rot or deterioration. If your home has an older roof, it’s possible that your moisture problem could be caused by roof leaks. Any sign of water damage, no matter how minor it may look, could suggest the cause of a moisture problem.
Of course, many homes have finished attics. So, the actual roof trusses, rafters, and joints may not be visible. Then again, you may be able to notice strange spots in the finished attic ceiling or perhaps even the walls. You’ll also want to check any windows, especially those installed in the roof system itself.
If the moisture leak is not obvious from the inside, especially in the case of homes with finished attics, you should have your roof inspected. Any bows, sags, or wavy areas in your roof could be the source of your humid attic.
Unfortunately, a visual inspection isn’t always enough to identify the problem. This is when infrared roof inspections can come in handy. These use thermal imaging technology to discover even the smallest areas where moist air is being trapped.
If you find no visible problems with your roof and further inspections rule out otherwise unseen issues, the issue may lie in another area of the home. Homes with unfinished attics often aren’t included in the heating and cooling system. So, one solution to the moisture problem, if the roof isn’t an issue, is to install better attic ventilation.
Remember that warm air and moisture rises. So, if the air leakage isn’t coming from above, it could be coming from below. Your home’s attic, even if the sealing and insulation is good, could end up actually trapping condensation. Of course, if it’s not dealt with, the excess water could lead to growing mold or even causing roof damage from within.
So, if the air in your attic space feels a bit too moist when compared to the rest of the house, don’t delay to look into it. Every area of your home must work together. Even if you don’t use the attic as a living space, it’s still an important part of your home.