What is it, and can it be prevented?
With our incredibly volatile winter weather this year, many people have reported “leaky roofs” and water in their homes. Attic rain is when moist warm air gathers in your attic and freezes in the cold weather. This frost buildup melts when the temperatures rises, and the water drips onto your ceiling then into your home. With the severe temperature fluctuations this year, it is no surprise that this has become a problem. Attic rain is not because your roof is compromised, but instead could be due to inadequate ventilation and insulation in your attic.
This lack of ventilation could be as simple as some insulation blocking your soffits. Some homes may need updating by adding more ventilation in accordance with the existing building code. The accumulation of moisture could also be because your vapour barrier is compromised; lights or vents that are incorrectly sealed can lead to moisture and warm air in your attic. Additionally, the moisture could come from a bathroom or exhaust fan being incorrectly vented into the attic instead of outside. Proper insulation helps reduce the amount of heat loss, which reduces the amount of warm moist air escaping to the attic.
What can you do about it?
When the weather does dip, you can check the humidity levels in your home. Any excess moisture in your home can cause frost buildup. Running a dehumidifier is helpful. Also, always run your kitchen exhaust when cooking and your bathroom fans when showering. Anything to avoid excess moisture in your home protects your attic from collecting frost.
If you are at all worried about the integrity of your roof or any problems in your attic, please give us a call. We are your best bet to diagnose and fix any issues you may have.
A customer’s recent experience with attic rain, in their own words:
“I first noticed a watermark on the spare bed. After a moment to process, I discovered the water was coming through the light fixture. I called in some professionals. Due to the age of our house, many things are likely different than they would be for others. Ours is over 100 years old, and things were often done differently back then. We had a service done adding some more ventilation to the attic. In the summer, we will add a vapour barrier over our light fixtures in the attic to avoid this problem again in the future. My biggest recommendation for someone experiencing attic rain is to take a deep breath and wave away the cartoon dollar signs floating around your head. Also, turn off the power to the trouble area. Calm down; it isn’t as bad as you think it is.”