Condensation in loft

[neily12]

Hi, in my late 1990s semi I often get condensation / damp in the loft and therefore, having to be careful with what is stored up there.

I can't see any obvious leaks etc and appears to be dependent on weather conditions. When it's warm/dry, no issues, when it turns cold, I can start to feel dampness up there.

No evidence of damp in the property, any advice recommended!

We had this when we got our new roof and the builders put little cents in - not sure if that helps at all! Ours was so bad the ceiling below was dripping though, maybe a dehumidifier might work?

Vents not cents

Is there a water tank up there?

My parents got that problem when they increased the loft insulation. The advice from a builder was to put in vents and it has sorted out the problem

It's caused by a general increase in humidity at this time of year combined with any damp in the house from showering and cooking or drying clothes getting through gaps around the loft hatch and light fittings or pipes. Because it's warmer inside, the hot damp air rises into the loft and then commences because it's so cold there.
Basically as said the solution is block the holes and ventilate the loft better.

Do you have ventiliation grilles? Usually found on the gable end about head height? Like an airbrick?

Also do you have any ventilation in the sofits? If you go outside and look up at the gutter can you see slots cut out of the sofits?

It is possibly caused by heat rising and getting trapped in the loft space, then when the house cools down it condensates. Ventilation of the loft is key to preventing this.

Look up 'Easyvent', we used these as we got a similar problem when we had cavity wall insulation installed. Seems to be working well.

Get a vent.

Builders find it very easy to install. With us, they just replaced a roof tile with a tile with vent in.