I live in a split-level home where the ceilings conform to the roofline, and there's not much attic space other than a small area above the kitchen. The front of the house has a steeper roof slope, while the back with the bedrooms has a slight slope that drops about 2 feet over 20 feet. About a year and a half ago, the drywall in the peak of the master bedroom ceiling collapsed, and we found it and the insulation to be quite wet. We've replaced the insulation, and a friend of my dad's who works in construction suggested it might be a venting issue since we only had two pot vents for the entire roof and no attic to allow for airflow. We added a ridge vent, but we haven't had a chance to fix the ceiling yet. Now, the ceiling is leaking again, with condensation on the exposed insulation and the humidity in the room spiking to 63%. This happened on one of the first hot days of spring, although it wasn't particularly humid outside. I'm confused about why the moisture is forming at the warmest part of the house instead of a cooler area. Will finishing and sealing up the drywall solve this issue, or is it just going to get damaged by moisture again? I'm baffled as to why this is happening while others can have open windows without issues. Can someone advise on what kind of professional I should consult?
2 Answers
It sounds like you might have a leak in the roof somewhere, especially if condensation is forming at the peak of the ceiling. When you had the drywall down, did you check for any signs of water intrusion on the underside of the roof? It's crucial to get that inspected to rule out any roof leaks. If it's only condensation, proper venting is key, and your ridge vent should help, but it might not be enough. Since the insulation gets damp mostly on warmer days, that suggests there could be some ventilation issues contributing to excessive humidity in that area.
Definitely check the roof for leaks! If your insulation remains wet, that indicates an airflow issue as well. Even if the roof decking looks fine, moisture can still build up if it’s not properly ventilated.
It’s best to bring in someone who is licensed and insured to assess the situation properly. With so many potential issues—roof leaks, venting problems, and humidity—having a qualified professional take a look will save you a lot of trouble in the long run. As for who exactly to call, perhaps start with a roofer, and if they are unsure, they might recommend someone with more experience in attic ventilation or potential moisture issues.
Exactly, just make sure to ask for someone experienced with both roofing and construction ventilation. You don’t want to fix one issue only to have another pop up later!
A good roofing contractor should be able to help! They've seen a lot of these issues and can often spot problems that might not be apparent.
It sounds like a tricky situation. You might want to get a professional roofer or someone who specializes in ventilation systems to see if more needs to be done.