Attic Condensation and Venting – What’s The Deal? – West Quality

If you’ve noticed unusual moisture in your home since the weather turned colder, you may be dealing with attic condensation. The source of this water often comes from the roof area during temperature shifts. It’s important to understand these sources of moisture. Therefore, you can implement the right solution for your home.

Three Types of Leaks Explained

Calgary homeowners may experience three distinct types of “leaks”:

1. Leaky Roof

This type of moisture is apparent when it’s raining. Missing shingles or structural problems often cause this issue. Additionally, improper flashing around chimneys or skylights can lead to leaks. You should repair these structural leaks as quickly as possible. Furthermore, we recommend a professional damage assessment of your attic insulation.

2. Ice Dams

These leaks are not structural. Instead, they result from melting and refreezing cycles on your roof. Snow melts and turns into icy blockages. Consequently, melting water builds up behind the ice dam and flows under your shingles. You can prevent these leaks by removing excess snow.

Often, insufficient attic insulation causes ice dams. The heat from your home melts the accumulated snow on the roof surface. The pros at West Quality Roofing & Exteriors can recommend other prevention steps.

3. Identifying Attic Condensation

This “leak” can be subtle. It often shows up as fog on windows or damp patches on the ceiling. Temperature differences cause this moisture rather than rain or snow. Humidity condenses inside your home just like water beads up on a cool glass. This dampness can damage your insulation and cause mold or mildew.

What Causes Attic Condensation?

Condensation occurs when there is excess moisture in the air. When warm air touches a cooler surface, it releases water. Specifically, high humidity levels cause more wetness to cling to cool surfaces.

Inside Calgary homes, moisture has many sources:

  • Respiration: People and animals contribute about 3 pints of water a day.

  • Daily Activities: This includes showering, laundry, and cooking.

Why You Should Manage Attic Condensation?

The space under your roof can collect humidity if the attic lacks proper ventilation. Condensation forms in the winter when extreme cold causes frost to build up. When that frost warms up, it melts. As a result, it creates damp spots that look like a roof leak.

Air Sealing and Insulation Upgrades

One way to manage attic moisture is to seal any air leaks. Additionally, you should improve your insulation levels. You can refer to Natural Resources Canada for official guidelines on moisture control. Insulation keeps your home warm and prevents warm air from causing condensation in unheated spaces.

Improved Ventilation Can Prevent Damage

A tightly sealed home needs the right kind of ventilation. This keeps indoor air fresh and maintains healthy humidity levels. Your attic space needs good airflow to reduce moisture buildup. Specifically, your attic vents must operate properly to vent excess heat.

Next Steps to “Rule Your Roof”

Balancing comfort and humidity can get complicated. Therefore, Calgary homeowners count on the expertise of West Quality Roofing & Exteriors. We provide a comprehensive approach to attic condensation problems.

A free quote by West Quality Roofing & Exteriors includes a full assessment. We pinpoint your interior home condensation sources. Our experts visually confirm under-insulated areas. Finally, we identify the source of moisture and mold. With this data, we can solve your problem once and for all!

Identifying attic condensation and frost buildup in a Calgary home attic.