Attic Moisture Control

Regularly airing out your attic is a very simple and effective way to prevent the formation of attic moisture.

Attic moisture control.

These can include installation of seamless gutters and downspouts. Once a week open your attic door and leave it open for several hours. The first step is to control moisture in the house by ensuring that the dryer and all baths vent to the exterior. If a vaporretarder is not present in the ceiling to slow migration of moisture from thehome s interior into the attic attics require 1 square foot of free vent areafor each 150 square feet of attic area.

The best solution for controlling moisture is at its source. Storm doors and windows minimize cool surfaces in the winter by separating the interior from cold outside air. Adequate natural ventilation is important in the attics of homes. A moist attic means moist insulation and moist insulation is less effective.

If the problem is the result of water or moisture penetrating the foundation or floor slab there are many remedial actions which may help. Ideal attic temperatures and humidity settings aren t always easy to maintain. Freezing and excessively hot outdoor temperatures rain and high. Moisture control strategies ventilation and circulation with outdoor air are the major moisture control strategies for attics and crawl spaces.

Why is that important. Vapor barriers only retard moisture due to diffusion while most moisture enters walls either through fluid capillary action or as water vapor through air leaks. If you live in a warmer climate you may want to air out your attic twice a week. Ideal attic temperature and humidity settings.

Moisture control in walls it is a myth that installing vapor barriers is the most important step for controlling moisture in walls. Two basic elements of controlling moisture buildup are minimizing cool surfaces and reducing humidity. Controlling indoor moisture when you see moisture accumulating dry it promptly and deal with the source of the problem. Ventilation plays some role in keeping attics dry but controlling indoor humidity.

If your attic features a window open it as well. In most parts of the country passive ventilation is important for attics and crawl spaces and mechanical ventilation is desirable for kitchens laundries and baths. Attic insulation and ventilation go hand in hand.