Winnipeg Winters Keep Moisture in Your Attic
As a Winnipeg homeowner, you likely realize extreme winters take a toll on your home. The areas that get the least notice are often the most negatively affected. Your attic is often a victim of attic mould and insulation damage due to condensation and moisture accumulation during the winter. Warm, moisture-laden air leaks from your house into your cold unheated attics and condensation accumulation occurs and freezes.
This process continually happens over the course of our cold months of the year and can result in a significant accumulation of ice, frost and moisture in your attic. When ambient temperatures moderate, as Spring approaches, this moisture will thaw and can leak through your home. This can reveal itself with water staining on your ceilings, water in your light fixtures/ceiling, and water damage to your windows and walls.
Moisture and Temperature Changes Create Mould
Staining and water damage to your walls and ceilings is observable, but often more harm comes from what’s happening behind your walls and ceilings. Mould and insulation damage are common consequences from chronic moisture issues caused by poorly sealed attics, vapour barriers, or any part of the building envelope. Mould will damage your home and quality of life.
The Problem with Mould
Mould growth has several negative consequences. It decreases your home’s air quality and according to Health Canada can cause:
- eye, nose and throat irritation
- coughing and phlegm build-up
- wheezing and shortness of breath
- worsening of asthma symptoms
Mould retains and holds moisture which negatively affects the R-value of your insulation and renders it less effective. When insulation absorbs moisture it becomes heavier and will often compress under its own weight. Compressed insulation loses its R-value. By losing thickness it loses its effectiveness and your home is no longer receiving the proper insulation.
The Solution to Prevent and Stop Mould
The solution to the underlying problem is to insure we limit the amount of air leakage from your house into the attic by air sealing measures. Our evaluators will inspect your attic and provide the best building envelope solutions to address these issues.
However, if you’re in a situation where your attic insulation is already saturated or you’re having mould and mildew issues in your attic currently, it’s often best that the existing insulation be removed and any mould or mildew be addressed. After removal, we insulate the attic with proper air sealing measures to prevent moisture and keep your home and family safe.
Prepare for winter! Contact us today to get a free insulation quote.