Should I Be Concerned About Moisture in My Attic?

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Every winter, Maine experiences weeks where the temperatures fluctuate between sunny days and bitter cold evenings. While it is nice for us Mainers to get a little respite from the frosty temperatures during the day, these temperature fluctuations may be wreaking havoc on your home. 

If you have noticed condensation, standing water, or frost accumulation in your attic at any point this year, here is what you need to know about how it might have gotten there, and the dangers of leaving this home performance issue unresolved. 

Why is there Moisture in Your Attic?

Though moisture can accumulate in your attic for a few different reasons, one of the most common causes of condensation in your attic is that your attic is under-insulated. Figuring out the exact cause of the moisture in your attic should be done with a thorough inspection.

Why is Attic Insulation Important?

When an attic is sufficiently insulated, heat won’t move as quickly between your indoor living space and the outdoors. In cooler months, insulation will prevent the heat from your living space from escaping up through the attic and out through the roof, keeping your indoor temperatures stable and reducing the amount of energy required to keep you comfortable. In the warmer months, insulation will also keep summer heat out and your conditioned air in. 

What Can Happen to Attic Insulation Over Time?

If batt or spray foam insulation is damaged, or if there wasn’t enough installed in the first place, or if warm conditioned air from your living space meets the cold temperatures and forms condensation in your attic, your insulation will lose much of its effectiveness. This can be made worse if there is also a lot of air leakage in the attic, which allows for more air (and additional moisture) to infiltrate the space. 

Is Attic Moisture Bad if Left Unchecked?

Yes, moisture is bad when left unchecked for a few reasons. Excess moisture leads to a mold problem, which can pose a threat to the structure of your home as well as your health. Plus, moisture will damage any remaining insulation in your attic, making the problem even worse in a short period of time. 

Have you noticed any of the following symptoms in your home?

  • A musty or moldy smell

  • Visible mold growth

  • Frost in your attic

  • Wet wood or standing water accumulation

These signs could indicate that there has been a moisture issue in your home for a while, and it is time to solve the problem before it gets worse.

The Next Step: Schedule a Free Consult

In order to develop a customized plan for reducing the moisture in your attic (and in your home overall), a trusted home insulation contractor like Evergreen Home Performance should perform a free energy consult.

 This comprehensive analysis uses thermal imaging & diagnostics to help see exactly where the lapses in your insulation are, how many air leaks are present throughout your entire home, and whether you would benefit from added measures like attic air sealing & ventilation. Your free consult will increase the effectiveness of your home improvement project and will make you and your family more comfortable!

Get the water, mold, and moisture out of your attic for good when you Evergreen your home! Call Evergreen today to schedule your energy audit. 207-594-2244 or get in touch here.

Seeing frost in your attic?

Keep it out for the sake of your health and comfort!

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The Evergreen Team did a fabulous job and was very tuned and responsive to the particular needs we had. The job was done right on budget and we are thrilled with the improved warmth and energy efficiency.

Ira M.

Rockland

We are so pleased with the work the team from Evergreen Home Performance did in our home. The project included encapsulation of our basement with a reinforced vapor barrier, installation of a sump pump, spray foam insulation on the walls and insulation of the heating duct work. Everyone at Evergreen was friendly and professional. The project was completed on time and in budget. Our home is much cozier and warmer since the project was completed.

Linda Metzger

We had Evergreen energy do blow-in cellulose. I was very happy with the result. They tested with blower-door before and after. House is now MUCH warmer. Also, in the time since when I've had to open walls for various access, I've been impressed with how they got the insulation packed in everywhere. I'd use them again.

Noah

Peaks Island

Update 12/2018: Evergreen has completed Phase II of my house (insulating and installing air/moisture barrier on exterior walls, replacing old windows) and now that heating season is upon us, the difference is astonishing. The house is tight as a drum and so easy to keep warm. Worth every penny. Thank you all! Working with Evergreen was a positive experience from start (no charge energy audit) to finish (a MUCH more comfortable home). Brian Robinson spent a lot of time with me on the audit, explaining clearly what he was finding in my ca.

Rebekah W.

Rockport

Working with Brian and with Nate and the rest of the crew was a pleasure. They made everything very easy and understandable. This was a major renovation and they were always at the ready with a lot of information. We had an extensive renovation on the basement which was a dirt basement and it came out beautifully. We can already tell from all of the insulation work what a difference it's made in sound and temperature. Brian worked with me on the rebates that are available when you do this kind of work. I would highly recommend this company to…

Valerie L.

Rockland

Evergreen is a terrific company to deal with. Polite and efficient crews, meeting deadlines and major reduction in our heat bills. They corrected a lot of issues we suffered from doing work with a shoddy building contractor. We would recommend them to anyone.

Mary Carey

The Evergreen team was amazing from initial assessment and planning to the crew that came to complete the work. Our basement encapsulation is the best money we've spent on our house by far. The work was thorough and high quality. And what a wonderful group of people to work with. I highly recommend Evergreen!

Martha Bracy

Great job installing windows and insulation.

Bob S.

Rockland

First we have Evergreen do a BIG project worth about $20K (windows, basement, insulate & rebuild an entire wall, a door, attics, and air sealing). They were so great we had them come back later when we decided we did want to do our other door. They are professional and do great work. They take care of your home and are trustworthy, and on top of all that friendly! I highly recommend you call them!

Garreth C Debiegun

Very Satisfied with the work performed by Evergreen. Professional employees, high quality work done in a timely manner. My sales rep was Justin, and he was phenomenal During the initial walk around my house, he gave me great ideas for how to improve the efficiency of our home. We will consult with Evergreen for our future home projects.

Adam G.

Westbrook

This team of individuals was professional at all times. They set up barriers that kept the dust at a minimum. They conducted an air flow audit and cut the draft circulation from the outside in half by sealing cracks. They hauled out the old insulation and replaced it with blown in insulation with an R - 60 Value. They also did the rebate paperwork so that I could get my $1500.00 rebate from the state of Maine. I highly recommend Evergreen Home Performance!

Daniel B.

Rockland

I cannot say enough great things about working with Evergreen Home Performance. Everything including the initial consultation, the fabulous work crew, the office support and the final resolution was handled in a caring and professional manner. My only regret is that I did not know about them earlier. I enthusiastically recommend Evergreen to anyone with concerns about home energy use.

Darlene R

Bath

I made the mistake of NOT hiring this company last year when I bought and renovated my home. I have brought them in now and what a difference. This group knows what they are doing. They take a complete look at everything and believe they can make your home more energy efficient. They are very professional in the way they approach problems and solutions. And they find ways to save me money. Don't bother with anyone else. Bring Evergreen in before you do anything. Let them assess your issues and give you the right solutions.

Shaw

Owls Head

Evergreen did everything they said they would and more. I actually don't mind going into the basement now since they sealed it. The air quality in the house is noticeably better and it's warmer in the winter. We can even store clothing down there where before, whatever was in there would mildew. Even the spider population declined! I used to vacuum so many of them from the corners of the ceilings in the house. Not any more!

Loriel Van Dusen

We had Evergreen redo the insulation in our roof. The team handling our project did a great job. They left the house spotless. We've already noticed the difference in how much better our house is retaining heat. I would definitely recommend and will use them for future projects.

Ffej C.

South Portland

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315 Main Street, Ste. 205,
Rockland, ME 04841

207-358-3706

info@evergreenyourhome.com