Loft

Folks,I have spent all day adding 300mm of lagging in the roof space due to condensation up there ,the like of which I've never seen. I've asked the surveyor at work and it's happening because of the ever damp we been having (we had an extra helping if you remember)and now the cold snap forcing us to hit the central heating switch. So a £150 worth of lagging will hopefully keep things snug...... Have you checked your loft?

 

Pal I dont think you should be getting any condensation in your loft.

If its just a loft with the insulation on the floor/top of the ceiling joists, the actual loft should be ventilated, draughty even.

I added another 4ins to the existing 4ins in my loft a few weeks back.

Wickes are doing a buy one get one free on insulation rolls.

 

Hi Pete. Yes the lagging is across the joists in addition to the lagging in between them.
Several lads from work have spotted the same trouble in their lofts too...it was noticed when we were all getting the Xmas decorations down:D
At this moment it's only the North/East facing roof that has the condensation on,the coldest elevation. Next step is to add some kind of seal to the hatch which will still allow it to click shut,up past the edge

 

Good move Pal,specialy with this weather..

At the moment the Government is subsidising loft and cavity wall insulation,we have just had cavity wall insulation at one third the price and already we can feel the difference.........It never seems to be realy cold anymore......
Pete if you are over 70 you get it free :hehe:

 

I think my pulse rate is over 70, does that qualify, Roders.

 

Pal I agree with Pete you should not be getting all that condensation in your loft, a problem with houses these days with eaves boxed in and roof space made air tight you need an air flow in thereor you will end up with your timbers rotting.

 

We think the problem was because of the lack of insulation. Two years ago we upgraded the central heating to gas from solid fuel and it's much more efficient...then we had a blitz on the stuff stored in the loft...heaps of boxes and blankets books and bags..I'm sure you all know what I mean:D, Which exposed the poor lagging that was barely 2" thick. I've now added at least another 12"...and made sure the eaves are clear. Just a matter of wait and see now:wink:

 

My neighbour had the same problem Pal, He had to get vents in his roof... But we dont have any condensation... Funny that

 

I had bad condensation in my loft but a combination of sofit vents and a load of extra insulation and proper loft boarding sorted it.

 

Cavity wall insulation is a smart move roders...wish I could do it!..This 1938 built house hasn't got any though:dh:...It's a non membrane floor too in the original living room with terracotta tiles that would cost a small fortune these days. At least the doors and windows are first class and draught free and in some cases triple glazed.

 

I know that this will have no relevance to the problem you have Pal, but we have had the cavity stuff done, the loft and hatch done and a new tank jacket. Today the heating has had to be on all day , (we're tight you know ). I've noticed condensation on the windows and I thought double glazing didn't get that???

Our hallway is not very warm at all and I'm wondering if that is because we have the cover over the radiator.

We can see daylight through our loft!!! Unfortunately we can't afford to have that done.

cheers

 

borrowers,condensation on your D-G units may be due to the fact they are older and not thick enough or too much draught in the window.
If you have UPVC frames your glass units ought to be a minium of 28mm.
Daylight along the eaves is OK
Before I fitted UPVC front door our hall was cold too and so we hung a curtain across the door. Rad covers do restrict the radiation of heat...just ask Mrs Pal who covers ours with blinkin clothes to dry:dh:
BTW...anyone with single glazed sash windows can now get 12mm slim D-G units. Improvements in glass products and inner gases has made this possible.
A company in Glasgow supplies the ones I fit. They even make them appear antique to match the single glass I take out.

 

Blimey I have the heating on all day every day when its like this.

Maybe your radiators should be upped to double ones, if they are not putting out enough heat.

If you can see daylight in the loft but its not damp anywhere, thats not a problem.

The condensation on the windows is due to the humidity inside and the low temperatures outside, unless its between the double glazing.
If thats the case the seals on the units have broken down and they need replacing.


Pal, we make loads of replacement sliding box sashes and frames using the slimlite double glazing, its still a bit of a struggle fitting it into traditional section sashes, but we get there in the end.