“Atticus Frost” would be a really cool name for a bad guy in a Western movie. But why a bad guy, exactly? Because even if you’ve never heard of attic frost before, you already know it’s a bad thing!
Wait? Frost Can Form Inside an Attic?
It sure can. Frost can form on any surface so long as two conditions are met: water vapor is present, and air temperature is freezing. When air containing water vapor escapes from your home (i.e. from a dryer vent or open window) and makes its way inside your attic, it will condense and accumulate on the tips of exposed roof nails (aka “shiners“). Frost on the underside of roof sheathing is also common, as is frost on roof vents.
Is Attic Frost Harmful?
Technically, no. So long as water remains frozen, it cannot do any damage. But here is the thing about water: it has this funny habit of becoming a liquid when it is exposed to temperatures higher than 32 °F (or 0 °C, if the water is located in countries with less civilized systems of measurement).
What happens when attic frost inevitably melts? It turns into water that:
- Saturates insulation, rendering it no longer effective
- Nourishes mold, which releases irritating spores and damages everything it grows on
- Stains walls and ceilings, and eventually damages them as well
- Decays wood, which is inconveniently the same material that a frame’s beams, rafters and joists are made of
How Do You Prevent Frost From Forming Inside Your Attic?
OK! We’ve just established that you definitely don’t want frost inside your attic. That begs the big question: what can you do to stop it from forming there?
- Seal air leaks. With enough caulk and closed cell insulation, any attic can become fully protected against infiltration by humid air. Make certain to seal off even the tiniest air leaks – they may not look like very much on their own, but they have a massive combined effect. Installing a polyethylene vapor barrier inside your attic can also help. Note that sealing and reinsulating an attic is no small chore, which is why you may prefer to try other solutions first.
- Redirect your dryer vent. Does your dryer currently vent into your attic? That is considered a 24 karat no-no as far as home design is concerned. Rerouting your dryer so it vents outside and away from your attic is definitely a worthwhile home upgrade!
- Reduce indoor humidity. The EPA advises keeping indoor humidity between 30 and 50%, as that prevents mold from breeding. If your indoor humidity currently falls above that threshold, then reducing it can only help to prevent moisture from infiltrating your attic as well.
- Balance HVAC pressure. Any building can have imbalanced pressure inside its HVAC ducts (although the problem is more common in taller structures). Unbalanced pressure can cause more air to flow to the upper stories, which in turn raises humidity that can ultimately make its way inside the attic. Balancing your HVAC pressure can also help you maintain more consistent temperatures inside your home, so it’s also worth looking into for that reason alone.
Don’t Let Attic Frost Damage Your Home
Have you noticed frost inside your attic in the greater St Cloud, Little Falls, Alexandria or Brainerd, MN area? Don’t leave anything to chance! Contact Exterior Pro today for expert inspection, as well a as free estimate for the work that will eliminate attic frost completely. If Atticus Frost is an evil gunslinger, then you can think of us as the virtuous Sheriff X. Thierry Arpraugh!