Easy Tips for Avoiding Moisture Problems in Your Attic
All homes contain some amount of moisture, because it helps regulate internal humidity levels. Excessive moisture becomes a problem when it collects in your attic and deteriorates the roof’s structure. Your local roof repair specialists in Traverse City, MI recommend the following easy tips to keep moisture sealed outside the home.
Check your roof’s drainage system
The outside elements might be contributing to your home’s moisture problem. Gutters can leak at the seams, and downspouts that aren’t long enough at the end will deposit rainwater directly into the ground next to the foundation walls. To combat these issues, roofing contractors recommend seamless gutters and downspouts with longer attachments. When gutters and downspouts work properly, they direct rainwater away from the house’s foundation and reduce moisture in your basement.
Re-grade around the foundation
Re-grading is the process of leveling the ground so water runs downhill and away from the house’s foundation. Your local roof repair specialist in Traverse City, MI will suggest re-grading if the landscape draws water towards the foundation instead of away from it. Gutters and downspouts often work in tandem with re-grading because once water reaches the ground, it has to continue draining away from the house. This preventative measure attacks moisture at the source before it has the chance to invade the interior of your home.
Plug in a dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers provide a quick fix and will reduce the moisture in your home until a local roof repair specialist can offer a more permanent solution. Place one in the basement, attic, crawl space or wherever your home is experiencing excessive moisture accumulation. The ideal humidity level in a home lies somewhere between 30 and 50 percent, so adjust the dehumidifier’s settings accordingly.
Seal gaps in the ceiling
Moisture builds in your attic due to what’s called the stack effect. Hot air carries water vapor to the top floor of your home and escapes into the attic via gaps in the ceiling or around the pull-down staircase. When hot air makes contact with the cold roof deck, condensation forms on nails and wooden boards. Over time, condensation will rot the roof’s structure. Block the stack effect by filling in gaps that lead from one level of the home to the other.
Protect insulation from moisture
Insulation works best when it’s dry. Homes with a moisture problem suffer from damp insulation, which means they’re less capable of sealing out the frigid temperatures that accompany Traverse City, MI winters. Colder attics accrue more condensation, which in turn dampens the insulation even more. To protect your home during the winter, make sure the attic’s insulation comes with a vapor barrier.
Moisture can accumulate in the home without you knowing it. By the time you realize the attic is overrun with condensation, the damage will have already been done. Protect the structural integrity of your home by scheduling an inspection with the contractors at Qualified Roofing. Our trained staff can pick up on the smallest indication of moisture and suggest the proper course of action to resolve it.
Categorised in: Roof Repair