Humidity in your attic is a serious problem. Humidity causes condensation which affects the wooden components of your roof structure. Dry rot will set in and causes deterioration of the roof structure. Besides this, the mold and mildew growth is another issue that will affect the health of your family as well as your roof. As Tampa experiences a lot of rainy days throughout the year and extremely hot weather in summer, humidity can be a significant problem here.
Common causes of moisture build-up in the attic
1. Roof Leaks
If your roof is comparatively new, the roof leaks will be rather negligible and often goes unnoticed until its too late. These leaks which are almost invisible are likely to be ignored resulting in moisture build-up inside the attic.
Solution:
Before the presence of moisture becomes visible, it can be detected by the damp smell and moldy patches inside the attic. If this is detected, it is recommended that you seek the help of a roofer because it is difficult for an ordinary homeowner to find out the origin of the roof leak in their Tampa home. It should be sought out and remedied without hesitation. The use of a dehumidifier is also recommended.
2. Inadequate or excessive insulation of the attic
Attic insulation is a key factor in maintaining a healthy roof. If the attic is inadequately insulated, a heat build-up is highly possible causing precipitation and humidity. If the attic is over-insulated, it causes condensation of moisture that comes from the interior of the house.
Solution:
Many homeowners are under the impression that maximum insulation increases the health of their attic. This is not true as this may make the attic temperature much lower than the interior temperature. This results in condensation when the air from inside the house enters the attic, rendering the attic humid. Likewise, too thin insulation lets heat build-up which is conducive to mold and mildew growth.
3. Leaky air seal
The air seal of your attic is a crucial point. If the air from the outside enters your attic, your roof will be affected by excessive heat in summer and excessive moisture during rains. In both cases, this moisture accumulation creates problems.
Solution:
It is very important that your attic is airtight so that the outside air and moisture doesn’t enter it. So check the seal once in a while to make sure that they are intact.
4. Inadequate ventilation
If an attic is not ventilated to facilitate sufficient and unimpeded air circulation, the hot and moist air gets trapped in the attic making it humid and conducive for mold and mildew growth. Besides, condensation takes place and dry rot sets in.
Solution:
It goes without saying that ventilation is one of the most important factors that preserve roof health. If the installation is faulty or the vents are blocked it impedes the free circulation of air. It can be detected if you touch your ceiling on a sunny day. If you experience excessive heat, it is evident that the vents are not working properly. The help of a professional roofing contractor must be called to remedy this.Adopting various humidity combating strategies are vital for the health of your roof in Tampa.
