Frost In Attic North Side

Buckled or damaged roof sheathing.

Frost in attic north side.

A patch of frost here and there on the tips of roofing nails poking through the sheathing for instance probably isn t a cause for alarm. The frost is on the north side since the south side receives more sunlight over the course of the day during winter in the northern hemisphere. Moist or wet insulation. Water or drip marks scattered on the attic floor.

There was also frost on the west wall on the north side of the dormer where the sun doesn t get to it this time of year. We still have one area in the rafters between the bathroom and a walk in closet that has some frost. When warm air from inside the house escapes traveling up through the bypasses the moisture condenses on the roof boards and rafters where the frost can form. How does condensation get in the attic.

Frost accumulates in attics when moisture laden air from the house gets up there when it s cold. When a warm sunny day arrives after a long cold stretch and it seems like you have a roof leak when there isn t a cloud in the sky it s probably attic icing otherwise known as ice dams or ice damming and the surprising thing is that it s very unlikely that the roof covering itself is the problem. But anything more than an occasional patch is. When the outside temperature rises again the frost thaws water collects and can leak into.

Why is there ice in my roof. When the moisture gets into the attic it condenses on the roof. Moisture or frost on the roofs sheathing. Obviously the frost is caused by moisture in the attic air.

How much frost should you have in an attic. There is no snow on the roof. When the weather warms up the frost will become water droplets and evaporate harmlessly. That s about it pretty simple.

During winter conditions attic frost is a problem associated with attic bypasses. Left unchecked frost in an attic can lead to serious mold and decay. Upon inspection of the attic the entire north face of the attic had frost on the nails poking through and most of the decking boards. As seniors with medical conditions we are worried about mould.

These signs can vary contingent on the catalyst of the problem and are generally worse on north facing or shady sides of roofs. John straube and chris schumacher answer the question why do i see frost in my attic the 12 days of building science is a project of rdh building science.