Loft soaking wet from condensation - help!

Mazio_2

Just got this from Collins DIY manual it states to prevent moisture laden air passing through you can fit a vapour barrier before insulation this looks like it can be plastic or metal foil sheet.
I have a small area in my loft that does get some condensation on the felt but I think it appears worse when I open the loft hatch to have a look.
I dont have a vapour barrier but I topped up the insulation with the foil and plastic sealed type which I think now would be a some form of vapour barrier although I bought it as I cant stand the rockwool fibers it make me come out in a bad rash..

isofa

Yes I've seen that too Mazio, but on the problems and issues table grid, when referring to damp, condensation and moisture in the loft, it's main solution (in my edition) it to add more ventilation.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

Porky996T wrote: »

I should have been more specific and stated a continuous vented ridge system...this is the type of thing...

Marley/Eternit vented ridge system

Houses in the UK are designed for cold weather, it is that the science of building is getting more and more advanced and is developing all the time. For example a house built twenty years ago will not have the same thermal efficiency as one built today, and contrary to the general opinion, houses built today are of a much better standard than those built 10, 20 30 years ago. Just as a point to indicate that materials science has progressed - on every house I have designed, I never put vented eaves or ridge; instead I use a breathable roofing membrane (felt) and the moisture vapour just passes through without the water penetrating from under the tiles. Gets rid of the need for vents - if vents are not there, you cannot block 'em

We live in a house thats over 120 years old and when we had our roof replaced a couple of years ago we used this breathable roof membrane,it's brilliant we don't get any condensation at all up there now.

Mazio_2

isofa wrote: »

Yes I've seen that too Mazio, but on the problems and issues table grid, when referring to damp, condensation and moisture in the loft, it's main solution (in my edition) it to add more ventilation.

I totally agree with you I should have also said that the primary solution is to add more ventilation if possible.

Mikeyorks

isofa wrote: »

LOL yes, I'd be careful with that, perhaps a few sheets of tissue paper would be safer

Is that as well as the candle ...... or in place of it?

Last place we had was 400 years old .. and up on the Moors. No condensation to worry about in the lofts there! Not sure if the permanent breeze through the York stone roof blew it all away ...... or if the woodworm were absorbent!

HelenCarter_2

Hi, thanks for all the info.. I've fairly recently moved into our house (standard 3 bed semi built in the 70s) and the loft seems really wet with condensation. The water tank does not have a lid on it - should it? And could this be a source of the problem with the wet loft?
Many thanks for your reponses

27col

The water tank should have a close fitting lid and be insulated on all sides except the bottom. Of course, if you don't mind the risk of a dead pigeon in your tank, or other air borne objects, then leave it uncovered. I would think that it would be unlikely to be the cause of the condensation.

Pennylane

Phew! That's a relief ... I thought it was just us!! About 3 years ago we had the loft re-done with extra insulation and I thought maybe they'd done it TOO well.;)

DH went up the loft ladder with the first box of Xmas decs and the water was dripping on him. All the cardboard boxes up there are soggy and HOW we've got so much up there when we emptied it completely for the insulation men just 3 years ago, is beyond me. We were quite ruthless & just put back "essential stuff".

I'm off to say "ridge vents" to him right now.;)

ssedd

Same problem here. We live in a quite new (90s) house and the soffet has ventilation running the length of the house front and back but it is still getting wet. Other than fitting roof vents im not sure what else I can do but I would have thought that the ventilation we have would have been enough. Anyone any idea roughly how much it would cost to get roof vents fitted?

Pennylane

sodamnfunky wrote: »

Im a Joiner and been in the building trade for 20 odd years. You could try ridge vents. This is the reason soffit vents are used, to allow air circulation. It has been really bad this year, basically because of the cold and damp weather we have.

Im in rented accomodation so not bothered by mine, as the heater is doing the trick. I was more concerned with the stuff getting ruined. So bought 10 plastic boxes with lids and put everything in them.

I wish I could be this organised. 10 boxes?? I'd need a couple of hundred!!
:rotfl: :rotfl: