Hey guys!
Here’s the pic - client just moved in - all good for 1 Month then today got this pic back from her - interior ceiling appears to be soaked w condensate. Lofted ceiling. Fan in living room typically is running but today for whatever reason she did not turn it on. Outside conditions 96 deg and super humid (on the coast) - interior 73 degrees
On way out now to inspect again… just thought I’d see what you all had to say. Value your alls opinion… thanks again!!
My initial opinion is that the condensate is due to a lack of baffling as well as blocked soffits (from paint and the style of soffit vents)….
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Looks like you already have your answer!
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That probably has a simple answer that may not be easy to find. Obviously, the warmest and most humid air will accumulate near the ceiling. On a 96F day, that attic or space between the rafters should be very hot and unlikely to have condensation forming.
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Do you use thermal imaging? Could be missing insulation, coupled with an oversized a/c unit that is not removing the humidity from the air.
You should also use a hygrometer, and see what the humidity level is at. Or sometimes, the thermostat also shows humidity level.
Should be under 60% inside
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The AC appears to not be cycling properly.
I think you may have answered your question.
How versed are you on vaulted ceiling ventilation?
Looks like a ridge vent failure.
Just saying…
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All the above. Google is your friend, along with an understanding of the conditions necessary for condensation to form and how the house construction, AC operation, and even the ceiling fan changes conditions. Hopefully @mdickens was able to diagnose the root cause and help educate his client. A list of helpful articles:
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I agree Daniel, use technology to further investigate before making any assumptions. I would turn on the ceiling fan as well and see if the problem goes away because vaulted ceilings that are not constructed of scissor trusses have a lot problem with ventilation and what you need to is to circulate the air in those areas. It could also be human or mechanical via HVAC conditions and vents, cooking with no fans, not running bathroom fans, number of occupants, etc.
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We have them a lot around here and I also own a home with one and similar potential issues - although no where near showing moisture on the ceiling - just showing a little seperation from the drywall tape between two different angles… will post a pic.
But I think this is the reason for this issue:
My opinion is that the back or left side of this section of the gable roof does not come down to any soffit vents - instead it terminates into another rise of another gable - that oddly enough terminates into yet another rise (learned that the builder was very eclectic - and not a standard builder. Anyway, my opinion is that the soffit is only 1 inch wide - of course its been painted over as well - so lets give it 1/2 inch. And the soffit only covers half of this roof area.
In addition, after recommending what I did - the client decided to open it up and learne that my opinion was correct -
No baffles within this area - so the insulation was most likely blocking any flow through the already compromised soffits. In short -
Lack of Airflow with higher outside temps and high humidity… as if this wasn’t enough - add in the fact that the AC compressors were struggling to keep up and were themselves on their last leg. Domino effect.
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We have a lot of vaulted ceilings around here and I also own a home with one and similar potential issues - although no where near showing moisture on the ceiling - just showing a little seperation from the drywall tape between two different angles… may post a pic.
But I think this is the reason for this issue:
My opinion is that the back or left side of this section of the gable roof does not come down to any soffit vents - instead it terminates into another rise of another gable - that oddly enough terminates into yet another rise (learned that the builder was very eclectic - and not a standard builder).
Anyway, my opinion is that the soffit is only 1 inch wide - of course its been painted over as well - so lets give it 1/2 inch.
And then this soffit only covers 1 side or 1/2 of this roof area.
In addition, after recommending what I did - the client decided to open it up from inside and learned that my opinion was correct -
No baffles within this area - and poor ventilation…. so the insulation was most likely blocking any flow through the already compromised soffits.
In short -
Lack of Airflow with higher outside temps and high humidity… as if this wasn’t enough - add in the fact that the AC compressors were struggling to keep up and were themselves on their last leg. Domino effect. Happy to update as I learn more - thanks
For all the replies! You all rock!
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