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TOPIC: Condensation Issues

Summer Condensation...

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Hello, My wife and I bought a 3-year-old log home (2-story, 2-dormers = multiple ridges/valleys) nearly 3 years ago (house is now ~~~ 6-years-old) with a "painted aluminum roof". We have always noticed a condensation problem/mold at the very top ridge (open cathedral ceilings without any attic space throughout the whole home)...I have tried many things to eleviate this situation = more ventilation in the crawl space/dehumifier in the upstairs/keeping the AC low to remove overall humidity before realizing that it might be more of an impropper installation of the metal roof problem! I am not real versed in the building trades, so I will try to describe the build as well as I can...Again, we have an open cathedral ceiling throught the house with a single peak ridge that collects condensation. The roof decking/ceiling = pine tongue and groove boards are nailed to the exposed beams...From the outside, I can see no sign of a ridge vent (just some of the same aluminum wrapped over the ridge). I do have exposed fasteners with metal/rubber washers exposed on the outside. There is no soffit covering (open) and the eves spouts are screwed directly to more rough pine facia board. I took a few of the screws out to lift the aluminum (at the facia board) and found just the roof decking with heavy felt paper in between the aluminum roof...The aluminum doesn't appear to have any spacing between the roof decking/ceiling/felt paper. I am assuming that this is my underlying problem...The kicker is that I live in one of the most sparsley populated areas of Kentucky (Clay/Leslie County)= no professional roofing contractors available (and I definitly don't want the same person who originally installed it to try and fix the condensation problem). Other than removing the aluminum and adding the 1-1 1/2" spaceing, are there any other things to consider??? Also, I am not even sure that I have any actaul insulation in the mix...I could only get to the eve area with the open soffit = may not have insulation there anyway (but there doesn't seem to ba any change in pitch/bulge in the roof where insulation would be for the interior structure). The roof does hold snow in the winter = I must have insulation up there somewhere...I also have free natural gas, so I can't even tell you the heating costs. Please help!!! Thank You, Jerry Noggle
Guest User

7/17/2008
Jerry, The fact that it does not hold snow actually tells me you have very little insulation -- heat from inside the home is escaping and melting the snow. Condensation occurs when warm moist air hits a cool surface. To eliminate condensation, you need to eliminate the warm moist air or the cool roof surface. Somehow ventilation and/or insulation needs to be added to your roof assembly to alleviate this problem. The only other thing you might try is a product called Auravent ... www.auravent.com which vents direct from the living space to the outside. Call me if you wish. 1-800-543-8938 ext 201 Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

7/21/2008