Effervescence caused by Condensation

madmac187

Hi folks, I was wondering has anyone suffered with condensation in their attic. I have condensation appearing under my lead flashings on my chimney. It is causing effervescence on both chimneys. House is built 3 years. I can’t see any leaks on roof or cracks or issues in plastering or lead. I have noticed in one chimney I can see behind the lead, like 3-4mm, like a tiny tiny droplet of water. I think it’s condensation. Directly below the flashing then, the block is damp looking. By the way it’s on both chimneys, 1 in use the other not, but on both. Has anyone the same issue or encountered it before?

MicktheMan

Have you only noticed this wetness during extreme cold such as the last few weeks?
Is there a north / south aspect to the issue?

madmac187

MicktheMan wrote: »

Have you only noticed this wetness during extreme cold such as the last few weeks?
Is there a north / south aspect to the issue?

I have only noticed this last week and was in attic end of November and I didn’t see it then. But the effervescence is very bad, around it is furry, obviously disappears when touched, but didn’t think it could happen that quick in 6 weeks, with FA condensation. I think there is a North South orientation but the uphill side is north on chimney and it’s the worst. I’m contemplating placing insulation around junction of roof and chimney lead.

MicktheMan

What's the ventilation like up there. Can it be improved?

Any extractor fans terminating in the attic space?

I wouldn't be adding insulation there if I understand you correctly.

Calahonda52

OP, can you post a few pictures please to give some context and detail

madmac187

MicktheMan wrote: »

What's the ventilation like up there. Can it be improved?

Any extractor fans terminating in the attic space?

I wouldn't be adding insulation there if I understand you correctly.

No none, mhrv, no mhrv leak either, I think the problem is the temp of the lead is so low it’s at due point and any bit of moisture is condensing on it that’s why I’m thinking just place some insulation around junction, or add vapour barrier somehow.

madmac187

Calahonda52 wrote: »

OP, can you post a few pictures please to give some context and detail

I should have enough posts but how do I add photos ? Lol

MicktheMan

madmac187 wrote: »

No none, mhrv, no mhrv leak either, I think the problem is the temp of the lead is so low it’s at due point and any bit of moisture is condensing on it that’s why I’m thinking just place some insulation around junction, or add vapour barrier somehow.

The problem with that though is that the water vapour causing the condensate during the extreme weather will still be there even if the lead is insulated and therefore all the insulation will do is hide the problem and possibly hinder the drying out process.

Even with a vapour barrier, I can't see any way of stopping the moisture from getting to the lead so every effort to reduce the water vapour / moisture content of the attic air should be made.

Calahonda52

madmac187 wrote: »

I should have enough posts but how do I add photos ? Lol

click on advanced below the box for a normal post and scroll down to manage attachments

Calahonda52

madmac187 wrote: »

No none, mhrv, no mhrv leak either, I think the problem is the temp of the lead is so low it’s at due point and any bit of moisture is condensing on it that’s why I’m thinking just place some insulation around junction, or add vapour barrier somehow.

The other consideration is that the condensation you see now and the effervescence are not actually related, or else the RH up there is always high enough to cause condensation

madmac187

Calahonda52 wrote: »

click on advanced below the box for a normal post and scroll down to manage attachments

Here are some of the photos, there is a fair bit of effervescence. I want to check the eave vents the weekend.

madmac187

Calahonda52 wrote: »

click on advanced below the box for a normal post and scroll down to manage attachments

Here are a few photos

madmac187

Photo