Modern Remodeling MD

Remodel, Rebuild, Restore

Facebook
GAF

5020 Campbell Blvd STE B, Nottingham, MD 21236
Tel. 410-569-1732 · 24/7 Emergency Services

  • Home
  • About
  • 24/7 Emergency Services
    • About
    • Emergency Services Gallery
  • Fire
    • About
    • Fire Gallery
  • Storm
    • Hail Damage
    • Wind Damage
  • Water
    • About
    • Water Damage Gallery
  • Remodel
    • About
    • Remodeling Gallery
  • Blog
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Join our Team

The Real Reason Your Roof May Be Leaking…

July 8, 2016 By Modern Remodeling

Watermark indicating a leak.
Watermark indicating a leak.

Time and time again, we have homeowners calling us complaining of a roof leak. They can see the watermarks all over their ceiling but cannot find an obvious source of the leak. They can’t remember if the watermark got larger when it last rained or if it first emerged after a big snow storm. When a homeowner calls us with the problem, the first thing we perform is a water test. We spray the section of the roof which corresponds to the watermark location in hopes of recreating any leaks. This simple test is the easiest and honestly, most efficient ways to identify leaks. Sometimes, the water test comes back with nothing. No water came through anywhere. This rules out the most obvious causes of a leak; faulty shingle or sealant somewhere.

The next step; crawl into the attic. Attics tend not to be the most pleasant spaces which is why most homeowners probably spend little to no time in their attic but when you have a leak, it should be one of the first places you investigate. When we access the attic, we inspect the roof trusses, sheathing or rafters for moisture or mold. You might smell mold or a strong musty-odor or your insulation may seem flattened and packed-down. These are the most clear signs of a condensation problem.

What is Attic Condensation? 

What is attic condensation? In short, it is when the temperature between your attic and your house is extremely different. In the humid, summer months, hot air builds up in the attic and flows downward into the living spaces below. In the winter, the process reverses. As heated, interior air moves throughout a home, it collects water vapor that is created when homeowners bathe, cook, wash dishes, do laundry, and run humidifiers. The warm, moist air then travels into the attic where the air is cooler and drier. As the warm air contacts the cooler surfaces of attic structures like rafters, trusses and roof sheathing, the moisture it was carrying collects on the surface as water droplets or frost. Eventually, this condensation drips onto the insulation below and leaks through the attic floor, which is when you begin to see water marks.  It can also cause mold to grow on roof sheathing, trusses, rafters and ceiling floor.

What Causes Attic Condensation? 

Homeowners often ask why condensation seems to suddenly appear. They’ve been in the house for so many years without a problem. Well, it is extremely difficult to answer that question. Sometimes, condensation could have been happening for years but the process is slow and it is just now becoming noticeable. Sometimes, weather can be a worsening factor; like when we have long stretches of extreme weather like snow or humid temperatures. Sometimes, it may be from your own activity in your home; an increase of cooking, showering or laundry. There are so many factors it is nearly impossible to identify the exact reason.

What is certain, however, is that condensation issues must be addressed immediately which means properly ventilating your attic. It is best to consult a profession like Modern when trying to determine if you have a condensation issue and steps to take in solving it. The quicker you act to address a leak, the less damage, time and money you will see and spend. Feel free to contact us with any specific questions!

Filed Under: Roofing, Uncategorized, Water Damage Tagged With: attic condensation, ceiling leak, leak, moisture, Mold, roof leak, watermark

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »
Questions? Contact Us!

Recent Articles

  • Summer’s 5 Most Common Property Claims
  • Is Your Insurance Estimate Up to Code?
  • Which Shingle is Best?
  • 3 Tips for Your Exterior Remodel
  • Tips on Inspecting Your Home for Storm Damage

Categories

  • Fire Damage
  • Gutters
  • Hail Damage
  • Restoration
  • Roofing
  • Slider
  • Storm Damage
  • Uncategorized
  • Water Damage
  • Wind Damage

Archives

  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • June 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • January 2016
  • May 2015

Our Partnerships
Accredited with BBB, Top 500 Remodelers

Rebuild, Restore, Remodel

©2016 Modern Remodeling · All Rights Reserved

5020 Campbell Blvd STE B, Nottingham, MD 21236  ·  Tel. 410-569-1732  ·  Fax 410-497-9327
MD License #83702 ·  Class A License # 2705 049384A ·   Serving the D.C. Metro area

Facebook
GAF

Serving Baltimore, Bel Air, Rising Sun, Fredericksburg, Potomac, Columbia, Ellicott City, Gaithersburg, Hagerstown and the greater Baltimore / DC metropolitan area

24/7 Emergency Services

Website by Kathy Osborne Design