Attic Insulation Condensation

Traces where water has trickled down the walls.

Attic insulation condensation. Insulation is responsible for keeping warm air inside your living space and out of the attic where it can lead to condensation. Attic condensation during the winter can decrease the effectiveness of insulation and over time can cause significant damage to structural elements in the attic such as rafters or trusses. Condensation will form in your attic if warm moisture laden air comes into contact with a cold surface. This accumulation can leak through the attic floor and into your living space.

It is common for poorly vented and insulated attics to develop attic condensation. Check your ventilation system. Applying mastic gum to the duct joints and adding an r6 layer of insulation around your sheet metal ducts goes a long way toward protecting your attic and ceiling. Warm air escaping from a duct into a cold attic can create condensation and encourage mold growth.

And the same factors that cause attic condensation problems also cause ice build up on roof edges which can lead to ice damming. This condensation can form droplets of water and accumulate into the insulation below. In the real world this means moist air from your house coming into contact with the underside of your cold roof tiles or the side of your water tank etc. For a more detailed explanation see my article on condensation in buildings.

Next take a look at your attic ventilation. To save time and better pinpoint the problem you can hire a professional to inspect your insulation and fill any gaps that might be letting warm air into the space. Moisture forming on the glass window panes or other flat surfaces.