Never ending..Augean stables..This time Loft condensation-
Hi Everyone,
Hope all are well, have done with your Xmas shopping and staying warm.
For me, 2022 has been a bright year, with several challenges and changes, a huge increase in workload but same time a positive experience on the whole.
I thought I had sorted the loft, after throwing away the previous rotten and itchy insulation and replacing it with wool. Still had a few things left to do, so went up the loft this weekend, despite having a cold and fever.
Sadly found evidence of condensation, with water droplets all across the felt and even the wood being partly wet... bummer. I thought I had sorted this attic so was, as-usual upset. Every week a new challenge, and the faster I sort one out another one crops out..like the Augean stable, a never-ending chore.
After using google, youtube and amazon came across some theories
1) Due to the cold snap? Snow on the tiles, with warm air coming up --condensation?
2) Possibly vigorous DIY, pushing the new insulation, blocking some of the eaves?
Can't think of anything else, maybe old felt?
Soultions
Start with a dehumidifier.
Keep the loft hatch open for a couple of days
use a heater in the loft? is it safe? could help to dry things up a bit
Online they recommend lap vents? Seem easy to fit and has positive reviews, any experiences?
Please do advise
KR
Mel
Comments (8)
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3 years ago- 3 years ago
Thanks to everyone who replied
Just an update
So over the weekend, went up to the attic, armed with several tools. One was a pocket temp and humidity gauge, which showed an initial reading of 2 C and a humidity of 90%
I also bought an industrial strength dehumidifier, Powerdri 18 L, and popped it up on Saturday morning. It claimed to suck up to 18 L of water per day. Came back in the afternoon, just had around 100 mls in the water tank, a damp squib. Humidity still remained at around 75 and temp the same.
So got my portable heater, the standard one you use in the room and left it on for a couple of hours. Returned and hey presto, the humidity was now down to 60, temp went up to 14C and the droplets/condensation on the felt seemed to have evaporated ..great success (Borat)
In the meanwhile, I pulled all the insulation back, the ones which I feel had blocked the eavesNot 100% sure they were blocked but yes possibly. There were other areas in the loft, where the insulation had definitely not caused any blockages.
Sunday was much better. Switched off the humidifier and the heating and re-checked the temp. It was around 5 C and the humidity around 85%, which was the same as outside. So I presume airflow is present, from interior to exterior, if both have the same humidity?
This is all from my end. Will repeat the same over the next weekend. In the meanwhile, I hope my felt lap vents will finally arrive and may make a difference. Or as Jonathan said, could be just related to the cold snap and me vigorously pushing the insulation into the eaves. Fingers crossed but the dampness is not to be taken lightly, seen mould grow like wildfire
, if this is ignored
KR
Mel
pics? pre and post-insulation being moved - 3 years ago
cannonja