The temperatures in the Windy City are continuing to drop, and peoples’ houses are adjusting accordingly. As a residential green roofing service in Chicago, we’ve seen it all, especially thanks to Chicago’s frigid winter temperatures. With that being said, let’s turn our attention to attic frost, a pesky issue that many people are facing but don’t know how to prevent or handle.
How Does It Start?
It shows up when moisture-laden air from the house gets into the attic. From there, the air condenses on the roof sheathing and turns to frost. The air gets through via air leaks or attic bypasses.
How to Prevent It
It’s pretty simple. The best way to prevent this from happening is to seal off attic air leaks. Even the smallest leaks can add up to a lot of damage, so leaks small and big alike should be properly sealed off.
Turning your humidifier off is another way to prevent attic frost from forming. More humidity usually translates into more frost in your attic. Other ways to cut down on humidity include running bathroom fans for 30-60 minutes after showering to ensure humidity levels go back down to normal. Also make sure damp basements or crawl spaces have a vapor barrier, as these rooms often contain excess humidity.
What’s the Damage?
So, the actual frost doesn’t do any damage, but the wetness when it melts does. Effects from attic frost include deteriorated roof sheathing, mold formation, wet insulation and water stains, just to name a few. If you’re worried about your house developing attic frost this winter season, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re an experienced residential green roofing service in Chicago, and we want to make sure your house can properly handle everything Mother Nature has to offer.
Courtesy of: Star Tribune
