Is Your Roof Leaking or Is It Condensation?

There are basically 3 types of roof “leaks” which are detailed below. The solution to your roof moisture issues depends on what type of “leak” it is. If you notice excessive moisture during extreme temperature changes, and not when it rains, then the moisture probably isn’t a roof leak. The following information should help determine what issues you might be experiencing and what you can do to alleviate condensation.

• The first type is where water is leaking through the roof system while it is raining. This could include leaks due to damaged or deteriorated shingles, improper installation of the shingles or poor/failed flashing details at penetrations and walls. It may even be due to damaged window sills, improper siding installations or severe wind driven rain. These are external leaks which can usually be inspected and repaired by a roofer

• The second type of “leak” is caused by ice dams. This is not workmanship related. The best way to prevent or reduce ice dams is to eliminate or reduce the amount of warm air that is escaping into the attic and melting snow on the roof to the point where it creates glacier-like ice build up. Another temporary solution is to remove the snow from the roof before it can turn into ice and penetrate the roof system.

• The third type of “leak” is caused by condensation or frost buildup in the attic. This is not workmanship related or an actual roof leak. To prevent frost & condensation from developing in your attic you must eliminate or reduce the amount of air leakage into the attic as well as improve insulation & ventilation to allow moist air to escape the roof.

What is Condensation?

Condensation comes from the moisture in the air and is caused by too much moisture in the air for a certain temperature. Condensation forms when warm, moist air touches a surface that is colder than the dew point of the warm air. As that air becomes colder and its temperature drops below its dew point, it must release excess moisture to reach its new, lower dew point. It releases moisture in the form of water, which appears on the colder surface.

There are many things in our homes that put moisture into the air. Normal breathing and perspiration add 3 pints of water to the air every day for each person in your home. In fact, every activity that uses water adds more moisture to the air including cooking, taking showers, dishwashing, and doing laundry. Condensation is more apt to occur in climates where the average temperature is 35º F or colder. Condensation is a common sign of inadequate insulation and/or ventilation.

Condensation in the Home - A Warning Sign

Condensation is usually first noticed on your windows and skylights because they are the most visible areas of your house. While it’s natural to blame the windows, you shouldn’t always. Window and skylight condensation is the result of excess humidity in your home. And the glass only provides a visible cold surface on which humidity can condense. This could be a sign that your excessive indoor humidity is causing damage elsewhere in places you cannot see, such as: your walls, ceilings, floors, and your attic roof. Excessive indoor humidity can cause blistering and peeling paint, warping and rotting wood, as well as the formation of mildew & mold.

During extremely cold temperatures, frost can build up on the underside of the roof sheeting (attic roof). Once the outdoor temperature rises, that frost melts and can mimic a leak. This “leak” can be excessive when the temperatures dramatically change, as is common during our Alaskan winters. Frost build up is most common above heat sources such as light fixtures, kitchen stoves, fireplaces, bathrooms, fans, and improperly vented exhaust fans. When the frost melts, this “leak” is most commonly found dripping out of those heat sources.

High ceiling beams and cathedral ceilings with water spots can be confused with an active leak, when in fact it is a result of condensation.

If you have ever noticed a lot of icicles hanging from the edge of your roof, chances are your house is leaking significant (and expensive) amounts of air and heat into the attic.

Controlling Indoor Humidity

Most new homes are now made tighter than ever. They are well insulated and no longer "breath" on their own. Both insulation and ventilation should be addressed to control condensation. Steps must be taken to ventilate the house, allowing moisture and humidity to escape. 

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO CONTROL THE HUMIDITY IN YOUR HOME INCLUDE:

• Bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, as well as dryer vents, should never be discharged into the attic space, always discharge outside. You may have an
  adequately ventilated attic, but this won’t matter if the bathroom exhaust fan dumps warm moist air directly into the attic space. This will result in condensed water vapour freezing onto cold attic materials, which will eventually thaw creating wet attic materials resulting in damage in the attic and inside the home.

• Installing exhaust fans in the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.

• Controlling or covering other sources of humidity (radiator water pans, fish tanks, large numbers of plants, etc.)

• Installing a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers are an inexpensive way to reduce the moisture in your home. Highly recommended in vaulted roofs with a loft.

• Opening fireplace damper.

• Ventilating the crawl space or basement: Install foundation vents or leave a basement window cracked in the fall or early winter to ventilate your basement or crawl space.

• Research shows keeping the attic air temperature below freezing when the outside air temperature is in the low 20s can reduce the occurrence of ice dams. Proper attic ventilation is key to keeping the attic cool, while adequate and properly installed insulation is key to keeping your house warm. It is critical to keep soffit vents free from obstructions to allow the natural flow of cool outside air into the attic space to replace the warmer attic air that rises and flows outside ridge and/or roof vents. This flow of air will keep the attic cool and free of moisture build-up.

• Adding additional roof vents, such as box vents, turbine vents and ridge vents will also allow the warm air to escape the attic space and reduce condensation issues.

Is Your Mortgage Coming Up for Renewal?

Whether you’re buying a house for the first time, the second or the seventh time, it’s still one of the biggest decisions you ever have to make. In order to ensure sheer success, you need a Trusted Saskatoon Realtor like Clark Dziadyk! Clark will ease your mind by taking the pressure off of you to find your dream home! Clark puts 100% effort into everything he does.

Read what clients have to say about Clark Dziadyk here! Clark Dziadyk is 'The Realtor in Your Neighbourhood'

Trusted Saskatoon Realtor Clark Dziadyk tips on the Saskatoon Spring Real Estate Market

The Calm Before The Storm

Oh, the weather outside has been frightful… but what does the condition of your home look like inside?

The first couple of weeks in March are what I like to refer to as “the calm before the storm”. The Spring market is right around the corner and warmer days are coming. If you, like many other homeowners who are considering listing their home, you may be waiting until the weather warms up to put your home on the market. If this is your strategy, this is a great time to tackle all of those interior projects you plan on completing before listing for sale. The ultimate goal is to sell your home for the greatest value possible in the least amount of time. Preparing your home for the market now will greatly increase your chances of accomplishing this goal.

Follow this listing checklist provided by the Canadian Real Estate Association for tips on where to begin with getting your home showing it’s best and be ready for the Spring market. Once you have that completed, your next step is to contact me and we will discuss a marketing strategy for achieving your real estate goals!

Click Here For A Helpful  Real Estate Checklist

"The Realtor® in Your Neighbourhood"

When you become a Reed Security client you will be entering into a relationship - one they want to grow and become long-term. Installing a security system will decrease the odds of having a break-in by nearly 400%. 

Reed Security is a Multi SABEX AWARD WINNING company and they are TRUSTED SASKATOON ALARM & SECURITY EXPERTS

Reed Security Top Security  Tips

All About Theft:

• 66% of break-in's are forced entry and forced entry attempts
• 34% of break-ins are an unlawful entry (without force)
• In 2015, Saskatchewan had 9407 break-in's (180/week) and Alberta had 27,517 break-in's (529/week)
• Break-ins occur in all areas of the City - not just the "bad areas"
• Most Home break-ins occur when you are at work or travelling (daytime)
• Most Business break-ins occur when you are at home (evening and weekends)
• Cabin's and Lake properties are especially attractive
• 98% of break-ins occur through main floor doors and windows (often unlocked)
• Thieves target the Master Bedroom

Thieves steal:

• Cash and Credit Cards
• Jewelry
• Designer clothes and sunglasses
• Electronics such as TV's, Stereos, Computers, Video Game systems, Smartphones and Tablets
• Tools
• Sporting Goods
• Cars and Trucks or the contents in them
• Building Materials
• Alcohol and Prescription drugs
• Your Identity

How to Prevent Theft

Use Common Sense!

• If you lose a key, get the locks changed.
• Ask all strangers for identification.
• Never hide an extra key outdoor - especially underneath a mat or on top of a light fixture. This is the first place the bad guys look. Leave an extra house key with a friend or a neighbour.
• DO NOT advertise on Facebook or other social media that you are on vacation.
• For insurance purposes take photos of the contents of your home.
• Keep all receipts in a safe and easy to find location.
• Write down the model and the serial number of all electronics.
• Make it Difficult
• Door chains are easy to bypass. Install deadbolts.
• Install a stopper or stick on all sliding doors and windows.
• Install window bars on all basement windows.
• Make sure all doors and windows are properly locked.
• Keep your premises well lit at night.
• Install timers that turn lights on at different times. This gives the appearance that someone is home.

Install a monitored Home Security system and you are 400% less likely to have a break-in.

You will receive up to 25% insurance discount. and optional ALARM.COM with automatic lights.

In case you do have a break-in:

If it looks like a door or window was forced open, DO NOT go inside. The burglar may still be on site.

Call the Police from your cellular phone or from a neighbour's house and wait.

Wiegers Financial & Benefits is one of Saskatchewan's largest private financial planning and employee benefits consulting firms. Its Saskatoon Financial Planning Division provides business owners, households, retirees, and students with expert investment and insurance planning services to help them reach their long-term financial goals. They also have a Benefits and Personal Insurance planning division. In this latest Wiegers Financial tip, we share about their massive community support efforts. Wiegers Financial Benefits are Trusted Saskatoon Financial Advisors and Trusted Saskatoon Insurance and Group Benefits experts.

Wiegers Financial & Benefits are committed to supporting our communities.

With deep roots in Saskatchewan and endless gratitude for the opportunities and success it affords, the Wiegers Financial & Benefits team – led by Cliff and Deb Wiegers – are committed to helping grow our local community stronger. The team’s philanthropic focus is on helping local children’s charities through their in-house charity, Wiegers Care for Kids. But, their community involvement reach is much broader than that. And, with ever-growing community involvement goals, Wiegers Financial & Benefits’ commitment to helping strengthen and grow our local community is steadfast.

They view their role in and responsibility to the community in two important and related ways.  First, they are in the very fortunate position of being able to propagate widespread awareness about important issues effectively and causes in our community.  With 35 community-minded individuals on their team and a long-term client base of thousands of people – each of whom has his or her own network of friends and family – they have the power to help ensure that more people are made aware of important issues and causes than would otherwise be the case. Second, they contribute to and help raise money for the specific causes and events they feel most passionate about.  With a broad network of clients, professional associates, friends and family, they have a very wide network of people to approach for cash and in-kind donations and other forms of support. Wiegers aims not only to help their clients lead healthier and happier lives but to help the rest of our community to do so, too. By raising awareness and money for local charities, they believe that we are making a positive difference.

Here are just a few of their community involvement awards, fundraisers, and other community events and related activities: