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1 year old home… Leaky Roof … hum…

| Posted in General Discussion on January 18, 1999 03:04am

*
Our home is only 1 year old… Looking for suggestions… our roof has 8-12 inches of snow and recently the temp lows are around 5 degrees and highs around 15 degrees. The temp yesterday went up to 40 degrees and the snow started melting. We noticed a waterspot on the ceiling drywall and proceeded to go into the attic to inspect. We found a horrible scene: The vent stack pipe was disconnected shooting sewer gas into the attic #1 – would that cause a humidity problem? Next, around all gable ends of the roof, for the first 2 trusses or so in, the roof waferboard was dripping wet. #2 Humidity problem? Why?? Next, from the top of the roof all of the way to the bottom edge of the roof, it was also dripping wet with a little frost. #3 Humidity?? Also, we noticed frost and wetness on the vertical, uninsulated walls of the house (in the attic). #4 Humidity? In addition, the house has a full brick front with a reverse gable going into the main roof – the small gable has only one vent, the front of the house has NO soffit vents and is facing north – the entire front was extremely wet and dripping. #5 Again Humidity? It appears that snow is being blown into the attic from many of the areas that have flashing, Plus, we found some pin holes in the roof where snow had been blowing into. #6 – Poor workmanship? #7 We are assuming that we need to get more ventilation into the attic, but are there any other suggestions? #8 Lastly, our question is will all of these problems result in any long term damage? P.S. We did shovel the snow off the roof to the best of our ability (2 story, tudor style home with many peaks – yes, one of us did fall off! – uninjured, thankfully)

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Replies

  1. David_Nickelson | Jan 17, 1999 08:02pm | #1

    *
    uh...call a lawyer first...

    DN

  2. Guest_ | Jan 17, 1999 11:37pm | #2

    *
    A month ago I had a similar problem and posted a similar question on Breaktime. The thread can be found by searching "Frosty Attic and Crawlspace." By following the suggestions from Fred L., I was able to reduce the moisture in my attic considerably. In my case the warranty on the house had run out. If your house is only 1 year old, I believe the responsibility to fix this falls completely on your builder but educate yourself so you know the problem is fixed properly.

  3. Mike_/Michigan | Jan 18, 1999 02:24am | #3

    *
    Thank you for your response. Last night we reconnected the vent pipe that came undone whenever and turned off the humidifier. I went in the attic today only to find it almost completely dried up. I dont think turning the humidifier did anything, because the level was the same today as yesterday. The temperature is only about 36-38 today and about 40 yesterday. Did that help, I don't know. There is less snow on the roof, but its not all gone by no means. I have the builder coming out tomorrow, but he may not have anything to look at......

  4. MIke_/_Michigan | Jan 18, 1999 03:04am | #4

    *
    Our home is only 1 year old... Looking for suggestions... our roof has 8-12 inches of snow and recently the temp lows are around 5 degrees and highs around 15 degrees. The temp yesterday went up to 40 degrees and the snow started melting. We noticed a waterspot on the ceiling drywall and proceeded to go into the attic to inspect. We found a horrible scene: The vent stack pipe was disconnected shooting sewer gas into the attic #1 - would that cause a humidity problem? Next, around all gable ends of the roof, for the first 2 trusses or so in, the roof waferboard was dripping wet. #2 Humidity problem? Why?? Next, from the top of the roof all of the way to the bottom edge of the roof, it was also dripping wet with a little frost. #3 Humidity?? Also, we noticed frost and wetness on the vertical, uninsulated walls of the house (in the attic). #4 Humidity? In addition, the house has a full brick front with a reverse gable going into the main roof - the small gable has only one vent, the front of the house has NO soffit vents and is facing north - the entire front was extremely wet and dripping. #5 Again Humidity? It appears that snow is being blown into the attic from many of the areas that have flashing, Plus, we found some pin holes in the roof where snow had been blowing into. #6 - Poor workmanship? #7 We are assuming that we need to get more ventilation into the attic, but are there any other suggestions? #8 Lastly, our question is will all of these problems result in any long term damage? P.S. We did shovel the snow off the roof to the best of our ability (2 story, tudor style home with many peaks - yes, one of us did fall off! - uninjured, thankfully)

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