Frost Forming In Attic

This year when you go up into the attic to get the Christmas decorations take a look around the attic to see if there is any frost on the roof ceiling or rafters. If there is then you have a moisture problem that should be taken care of. Moisture in the attic could lead to mold and mildew growth in the attic.

Observing frost in the attic is a sign that warm moist water is infiltrating the attic. Once the warm moist air hits the cold roof surfaces it freezes and forms the frost.

One of the leading culprits for warm moisture entering your attic is the lack of insulation or improperly installed insulation. Examine the insulation in the attic and make sure there are no openings in the insulation to allow for warm air to rise into the cold attic space. When warm moist air and cold air, come in contact with one another, condensation forms on the attic ceiling and roof rafters. When the attic air temperature falls below 32 degrees the condensation freezes on these surfaces causing frost to form.

Another area of the attic to check for the infiltration of moisture is the chimney. If your house has a chimney check to make sure there are no signs of water infiltration around it. It is best to examine the chimney after a good soaking rain storm. Examine the chimney in the attic and look for streams of water or dampness around the bricks. If there are signs of water on the chimney then you need to apply a sealant or water repellant to the outside of the chimney. 

However, you will need to wait for warm whether to apply the sealant. You may also need to re-install the flashing around the chimney. Make sure the flashing is installed properly and not damaged in any way.

Finally, one of the leading culprits for warm moisture working its way into your attic is bathroom ceiling fans. Check to make sure the bathroom ceiling fan vents and vent pipes are properly connected and that they vent to the outside of the home. On several occasions of examining attics, I have discovered bathroom ceiling fans directly exhausting to the attic. The moisture associated with those hot steamy showers is captured in the cold attic and forms frost once the outside air temperature drops.

To conclude, frost in you attic is a sign of moisture in your attic, and unrestricted moisture in the home should not be ignored. Moisture left unchecked will eventually form mold and mildew which can lead to health problems with the occupants of the home.