WE ARE MOISTURE DAMAGE SPECIALISTS
We help homeowners protect against attic moisture damage. Sometimes, we are too late. In those situations, we help homeowners fully assess their damage and quickly implement repairs. We also help to prevent future moisture-related problems.
Most people think that moisture is only a consideration in the humid summer or during rainy seasons. This is not true. Daily activities generate moisture that can pass into your attic, year-round. The average family generates 2-4 gallons of water vapor per day. This moisture can collect in your attic space and over time may result in mildew, mold, and wood rot. Moisture build-up can weaken your roof rafters, sheathing, wall components, and flooring systems.
GOOD VENTILATION WILL PREVENT ATTIC MOISTURE FROM BECOMING A PROBLEM!
The best way to manage attic moisture is good cross ventilation (intake & exhaust) in your attic space. Proper intake and exhaust vents are key to a safe, healthy attic. In the winter, particularly here in the Midwest, where we experience very cold temperatures requiring heating systems to run round the clock, heated air rises up into the attic. When hot air collides with stagnant cold air in the attic, moisture condensation occurs.
While insulation will reduce the rate at which heat will pass from living spaces into the attic, it does nothing in the way of managing moisture. In fact, moisture that settles on insulation can reduce the performance of insulation. Wet or damp insulation loses most of its ability to resist migrant heat, in other words, it does not do a proper job of insulating. Poor performing insulation costs you money, and unnecessary wear and tear on heating and cooling systems. If you have wet insulation in your attic space, do NOT insulate over it. You will only be creating more problems for yourself in the future.
BATH FANS & DRYER VENTING INTO YOUR ATTIC?
Additionally, many homeowners have an increased risk of moisture related issues because they have their bathroom exhaust fans and/or clothing dryer exhausting into their attic space rather than the exterior of their home. Both systems move very moist air. If your attic is not well ventilated, all that moisture builds up in your attic. Bath fans and dry exhaust should always be vented outdoors.
For maximum moisture protection, we recommend a powered attic fan with a humidstat controller. The humidistat control will monitor your attic for humidity, year-round, and activate the fan to ventilate your attic when humidity levels rise. Powered attic fans can hasten attic air circulation by quickly pulling in fresh air into your attic from intake vents while exhausting moist air outside, independent of external wind speeds
