How to Prevent Water Damage in Your Attic

Water and moisture in your attic can cause you headaches and costly repairs. Mold can grow and compromise your indoor air quality, and water can weaken the structural integrity of your home. To stop water damage in your attic, you need to know what causes moisture in your attic – roof leaks, improper attic ventilation and insulation, and appliance failures. Now let’s take a look at how to get around these problems to reduce attic water damage:

Look for Roof Leaks in Your Attic

Check the insulation and wood for signs of water damage, such as discoloration and mold growth. The area where the two roofs join at an angle is prone to cracks and roof leaks, so make sure to inspect it as well. Leaks are also common in the area around attic plumbing stacks.

Another way to detect water leaks in the attic is to inspect the recessed lights canisters. Rust, corrosion, and stains around them indicate moisture and possible electrical dangers.

Ventilate Your Attic

Without proper ventilation, the moisture in your attic increases. Having good attic ventilation is especially important in winter. That’s because in winter, warm air rises to the ceiling, enters the attic, and condenses on the cold surfaces of the attic. Condensation can’t escape unless your attic has adequate ventilation.

Additionally, make sure your attic vents – soffit, ridge, and gable-mounted vents – openings are not blocked by something like insulation. There are many ways to improve attic ventilation, so be sure to consult a specialist.

Insulate Your Attic

Insulation plays an important role in controlling the temperature levels in your attic. In winter, attic temperature should be five to ten degrees warmer than the outside. Otherwise, ice dams may form on the edges of your roof, potentially causing water damage.

So make sure your attic floor is properly insulated to help prevent warm air from entering the attic. In addition, ensure the insulation of heating ducts are also in good shape.

To check if your insulation is in good condition, ensure it’s thick, soft, and dry. If it feels moist and looks thin and flat, it will create high moisture conditions. Replace itimmediately.

Vent Appliances to the Outside

A common mistake in homes is improper ventilation of appliances. The dryer, kitchen, and bathroom vents should always blow the air to the outside and not in the attic. Your attic ventilation may not otherwise be able to eliminate the accumulated moisture efficiently.

Maintain Attic Appliances

Another thing to note is that appliances in your attic such as air conditioners, swamp coolers, and HVAC systems may fail and cause water damage. During your attic inspection, check these appliances for wear and tear and loose connections.

As ventilation is important in the entire home, check out more home ventilation tips and how to control the humidity in your home. For water removal services and mold cleaning services, contact your local PuroClean office.