Loft Condensation - moving the isulation to improve air flow

sva19

I went into the loft yesterday and there was water on the felt and some dripping, water on the floor and boxes?

Could not belive it as never had this before, buth this year I had topped up my loft insulation.

Having reading through some post on this and other forums, As can be seen by pic 1 (http://s478.photobucket.com/albums/rr144/satish98/?action=view&current=loftinsulationbefore-1.jpg) , I have put the insulation all around the edge (Eaves) and some also covered the air vents. Looks like to stopped all the air from flowing? Have a total of 6 air vents in the loft 4 lower and 2 up.

Today I went back in the loft and have moved all the loft insulation from around the edge (Eaves) all around, so now I could see light coming through the eaves (Is this a good thing?), just left the original insulation covering the joist. Pic 2 ( http://s478.photobucket.com/albums/rr144/satish98/?action=view&current=loftinsulationafter-1.jpg ) .Also pulled abck around the vents and made sure all vents open, one was partial blocked by cement, so I removed the cement.

Is this the right thing to do, I hope it cures the problem?

thescouselander

Yes, you did the right thing, you need air flow to prevent damp building up.

andrew-b

Yep...from the second picture i'd say you've pulled the top layer back more than you need to ...lower layer possibly still too close but hard to tell from the pic. If you can see light around the eaves is a good sign. Also should be able to feel a breeze coming up.
Should be to just above the cavity of the walls to be ideal. See the diagram on page 6 here to show what i mean

ariba10

You could get a few vent slates/tiles fitted in the roof and that would not affect the insulation.

sva19

Hi yes I have pulled back quite a lot, I will wait until all the condesation has gone then relay leaving just space in the eaves.

How long would it take to clear up, it still there and I guess the cold weather is not helping if not the cause of it?

I also closed the hatch door and could see around 5 mm gap all round I guess that need addressing as this could be the cause of the hot air going into the lot.

Mt Eaves also has vents in the fascia boards outside, I think around 6 al together. So with these and also 6 Brick vents in the loft shoudl this be adequate ventilation without going through the cost of putting more vents in?

sva19

My question is once got condensation how long take to clear up given its cold -4 at mo will it take time?

Is the condensation in my house just caused by normal Central heating? Showers etc?

I am recommending the below to my family to do -
1. When showering close door and open window and keep open for 1/2hr.
2. When leaving home in morning try to open some windows (just vent opening), so air circulate around house and doors open.
3. Do not dry clothes in Hot Water Cupboard
4. Wife said need somewhere to dry in winter, so suggested, in Bathroom, with window 1/2 open and bathroom door close - will this be ok?
5. Draft proof the Loft hatch door, at present can see 5 mm gap with light coming through.
6.When cooking window open and kitchen door close.
7. Got fish tank so get water evaporation, so should I open the window in this room during the night?

Will all this help reduce condensation or is anyone of them the wrong thing do do? Any other consideration.

House is 1991 4 bed detach, with cavity and loft insulation, Loft has 6 vents and the eaves have vents as well. 2 adults and 1 child.

Tucker

In these conditions it will take a long while for anything to dry, compared to summer.

In November I did some exterior painting on my render. In summer it was touch dry in 2 hours. In November it was still wet 2 days later!

I therefore doubt it will dry out in a matter of days. You need good air circulation otherwise the loft just sweats and becomes a breading ground for mold.