Three Reasons Why Your Attic Is Constantly Damp

While your attic may lack the climate control of the rest of your house, it shouldn't constantly feel damp, muggy, or humid. These symptoms could indicate a problem with your roof or attic that needs to be quickly addressed to prevent issues like wood rot or roofing material damage.

Damaged Roofing Materials

Roofs that are affected by everything from storm damage to old age can lose their weatherproof seal in damaged areas. Your attic may be one of the first places affected by roof damage, if only because it's so close to your roof.

There are many ways a roof can be damaged. For example, it could come from blunt impacts from things like hail or tree branches. It can also happen more slowly and subtly; if moss grows on your roof, for example, the roots can push up under your shingles and allow moisture in. If the flashing under your primary roofing material is aging or damaged, this can cause similar leakage problems.

In most cases of physical damage like this, repairs will almost certainly be necessary. In the case of repeat issues, such as moss growth, your contractor can install something like zinc strips to prevent moss from growing on your roof in the future.

Improper Ventilation

Every attic needs to be properly ventilated to make sure moisture and condensation will not build up inside. If your attic lacks this ventilation, or if any airflow is obstructed, moisture can build up inside your attic and cause issues like constant dampness and mold growth.

Ventilation problems can often be fixed by making sure your attic's ventilation systems meet general guidelines, but other changes may be necessary depending on your situation, such as adding or removing attic fans and making sure your attic is also properly insulated. Call a professional for an inspection to see what might be necessary. If your issue is related to ventilation, the good news is that this may mean your roof itself is in good shape and won't need repairs.

Clogged Gutters

Clogged gutters can damage your roof by holding water and overflowing back onto your roof. While your roof is waterproof enough to let water slide off it, it isn't designed to be effectively submerged. If this goes on for too long, your roof's wood is at risk of rotting, and dampness at risk of spreading.

While the cause of this problem can easily be addressed by making sure all your downspouts are clear and that your gutters hold no water, existing damage and rot will need to be fixed immediately to prevent the spread of mold and further rot.

For more information about roof repair to keep your attic in its best shape, contact a local roofer.