Attic Rain - Recommend me a contractor

[88CRX]

Don’t have attic rain but do have some staining on the ceiling of an outside corner of the house. Suspect there is some moisture collecting in the attic or lack of insulation causing condensation on drywall surface. Low sloped roof so space is fucking tight up there.

[ThePenIsMightier]

Do you have a picture? I'm picturing soffit and that doesn't make any sense.

[88CRX]

It’s an outside corner, but the moisture is inside.

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[ThePenIsMightier]

Ah, that makes way more sense!
That looks like the edge of a bathroom fan which will have a "leak" in its insulation sock which will cause the problem of water pooling on the vapour barrier until it runs to those two low spots and drips into your ceiling.

You shouldn't need a specialized contractor (if I'm right) and anyone that does attic insulation SHOULD be able to help...

[88CRX]

Yea I know how attic rain is caused. I’m not getting a lot of moisture which youd expect with a leaky exhaust fan. I think the insulation has blown out of that corner (or there is lack of insulation) and I’m just getting surface condensation.

This is the second time this has happened in last 4 years. So I don’t think it’s attic rain, hence why I don’t want some lackey roofer just telling me I need more attic vents.

Edit: basically any good roofing contractor recommendations?

[msommers]

Attic Rain Specialists. We had them do some preventative stuff before we moved in. The guy also runs a home inspection businesses. Took awhile to get them in though (this was in August when it was insanely hot in the attic).

[INITIALD]

sweet boob light. k bye.

[ExtraSlow]

I get some drips around a skylight, suspect the vertical tunnel to the skylight is not well insulated or sealed. Maybe I need these specialists. They are at https://www.atticrain.com

[phreezee]

Guns & Hoses did my blown insulation.

Try some diluted bleach in a spray bottle to take care of the stains.

[B.Spilner]

Guns & Hoses did my blown insulation.

Try some diluted bleach in a spray bottle to take care of the stains.

If the bleach method doesn't work, grab some flat white paint and an artist brush and dab only the stained area, might take a couple coats but should help hide it.

[ThePenIsMightier]

Yea I know how attic rain is caused...

Well, I'd consider attic rain is traditionally caused by warm air leaking from the building envelope into the attic space (typically from an attic hatch or ceiling lights) while a poorly insulated bathroom vent pipe is kind of different. Similar end result, but different.
/ackshully

_______
I still think that's your culprit, though. Completely uninsulated pipe = rain forest. Tiny seam, poorly taped = a bit of moisture than can find its way to those spots on your ceiling.
:dunno:

[mr2mike]

Guns & Hoses did my blown insulation.

Do they handle attic rain or just November stuff?

[ThePenIsMightier]

Do they handle attic rain or just November stuff?

They're mainly about diving through cakes.

[88CRX]

Attic Rain Specialists. We had them do some preventative stuff before we moved in. The guy also runs a home inspection businesses. Took awhile to get them in though (this was in August when it was insanely hot in the attic).


I get some drips around a skylight, suspect the vertical tunnel to the skylight is not well insulated or sealed. Maybe I need these specialists. They are at https://www.atticrain.com

Had 'Attic Rain Specialist's out to the house this morning, super nice guy.

He climbed up there and he thinks its surface condensation due to roof framing members and lack of insulation. And not lack of insulation because its not there but rather lack of insulation because there are roof trusses in the way. Not any great solutions as its such a tiny area to get into so he recommended cleaning in up, running the fan longer and really watching the humidity levels when it gets super cold out. So not ideal, but he's definitively not just trying to sell services for the hell of it.

[ThePenIsMightier]

Had 'Attic Rain Specialist's out to the house this morning, super nice guy.

He climbed up there and he thinks its surface condensation due to roof framing members and lack of insulation. And not lack of insulation because its not there but rather lack of insulation because there are roof trusses in the way. Not any great solutions as its such a tiny area to get into so he recommended cleaning in up, running the fan longer and really watching the humidity levels when it gets super cold out. So not ideal, but he's definitively not just trying to sell services for the hell of it.

That sounds promising!

[msommers]

Do you have any hygrometers?

I picked up a couple since we are having condensation on the windows, even after turning down the humidifer. Still in the 40-45% range with the windows closed.

Oh, btw that reminds me, the Attic guys suggested to leave a few window open ~1" for 45-60 minutes to let some humidity out if it's too high, particularly the morning when people are showering upstairs.

[88CRX]

We're getting ~50% readings on our thermostat currently. House humidifier is off (we never turn it on) but we have been running a little portable unit in the kids room since she's been sick and coughing.

I'm going to start running the HRV more often to try and push the humidity even lower. But yea opening windows will drop it pretty damn quickly when its -20c outside.

[ThePenIsMightier]

We're getting ~50% readings on our thermostat currently. House humidifier is off (we never turn it on) but we have been running a little portable unit in the kids room since she's been sick and coughing.

I'm going to start running the HRV more often to try and push the humidity even lower. But yea opening windows will drop it pretty damn quickly when its -20c outside.

Yes, HRV is your friend. I crank mine down so it runs in the evening to bring the house temp down faster and also not fight with such a large delta-T when the furnace is only trying to hear the house to 17 at night.

[ExtraSlow]

Say the attic rain specialists on the road. Good looking truck and trailer. Looks quite professional.
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[bigbadboss101]

Interesting! In one of our bathrooms it will drip around the exhaust fan. Usually it's after a melt. Most recently after my wife took a hot shower. We have been running bathroom fan more frequently.

[msommers]

The ducting likely needs to be replaced and properly sealed around fan and outlet vent. The expanding sealant they used at our house came in two canisters that had to be combined, not just the foam in a can stuff. I'm not sure what it was specifically, looked to be pressured canisters essentially mini-propane tanks.

Edit: Surprisingly easy to find. He wasn't kidding it's expensive!

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/froth-pak-sealant-spray-foam-kit-0642693p.html

[ThePenIsMightier]

The ducting likely needs to be replaced and properly sealed around fan and outlet vent. The expanding sealant they used at our house came in two canisters that had to be combined, not just the foam in a can stuff. I'm not sure what it was specifically, looked to be pressured canisters essentially mini-propane tanks.

Edit: Surprisingly easy to find. He wasn't kidding it's expensive!

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/froth-pak-sealant-spray-foam-kit-0642693p.html

Whoa! Hang on!
That kit does about 200 sq-ft of wall at 4" thickness. That's not what a guy needs to run a bead around a bathroom fan duct.

There should be an industrial grade of Mono Foam in a tube that is CLOSED CELL for like $20 somewhere.

[msommers]

Fair point. That's just what the Attic Rain guys used at our place.

[ExtraSlow]

If your exhaust vent drips after your wife's hit shower, the problem may just be that you don't run the fan long enough afterwards.
Make her leave the bathroom door open, and leave the fan running 60 minutes after she gets out, bet that helps.

[littledan]

Ours did that and it turned out our fresh air intake for the furnace was clogged. This ended up pulling a vaccuum which would suck air in from the exhaust fan and cause ice/condensation build up that would then thaw and drip when the fan was run. $0 fix.

[msommers]

If your exhaust vent drips after your wife's hit shower, the problem may just be that you don't run the fan long enough afterwards.
Make her leave the bathroom door open, and leave the fan running 60 minutes after she gets out, bet that helps.

I've installed timer switches on all our bathroom fans, so much easier to let things run long enough!

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/leviton-decora-60-minute-digital-countdown-timer-with-wallplate-0528860p.html?ds_rl=1283573&ds_rl=1283573&gclid=CjwKCAiA-dCcBhBQEiwAeWidtWbt6aR-GXSdyp4maSpH_89MZf5U8jbjnhXSzfiTkjvX221C93iGQBoCGTUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds#store=334

[phreezee]

I installed that one in the half bath, but this one for the full baths.
Auto on/off based on humidity.
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/leviton-decora-humidity-sensor-and-fan-control/1000804492

[ThePenIsMightier]

I installed that one in the half bath, but this one for the full baths.
Auto on/off based on humidity.
https://www.homedepot.ca/product/leviton-decora-humidity-sensor-and-fan-control/1000804492

I have a similar one in my basement bathroom. I think I got it from Costco.