My loft is full of condensation and everything is going mouldy.?

Question

I've been here 2 months and all my stuff is damp up there, the water is dripping onto the loft floorboards. I brought the xmas tree down and it stinks of mould. The soil vent is straight into the loft and I have put a tin lid over it, it smells of poo up there too.
I contacted the builders who don't care, as the property was built 12 years ago they don't care.

What can i do???

Answer 1

your soil stack could use a one way dego -"day-go" valve. Gray plastic end cap from builders merchants won't let smell out but stops water being sucked from your WC as air pressure in sewer changes (other houses flushing etc). As for the condensation I'm guessing your loft floor is not well insulated? Your loft should be the same temperature as outside as the heat is kept downstairs, and although some condensation will always occur at dawn and dusk it shouldn't be much

Answer 2

It is usually poor ventilation, check that you have an air gap around the loft edges. If you have a soffit you may well see little slots in this for ventilation, or a comb type at the roof line. A common problem is that the insulation has covered the air vents, check in the loft that the insulation is not pushed tight up to the underside of the roof. Also leaving the loft hatch open can cause condensation as the humid hot air hits the could roof area. The spot lights you mention must be "down lights" these usually work the other way and heat the loft as the heat is dispelled out of the rear of the lights so they warm the roof space. But if you have them in the bath room make shore they are not the eye ball type or that one is missing as the steam goes up past the eyeball type or through the hole like a chimney, due to heat rising. So this will cause the humidity to rise in the loft and so cause condensation. ( I am a builder who corrects these type of faults on new build )

Answer 3

This problem arises when the property is sweating. This can be caused by over insulating a property or by the way your living environment is controlled. Do you hang wet clothes over radiators, If so then don't. Do you ensure whilst running Baths/ Showers etc that windows are open to release the moisture from that room. I was once involved in building a new dwelling that as in your situation the loft was dripping as if a leak was suspected, it turned out to be that the property could not breathe. The best resolution is to install ridge tile vents this will act as a chimney and draw the moisture straight out. You will need a qualified roofer as health and safety issues are necessary. The confusion is why has it only started to happen or is this something your surveyor did not pick up on. Good luck

Answer 4

The the vent stack must not be open to the loft & could easily be the problem.

Said "loft" so maybe your'e in the UK?

Its cold there now also & condensation from the stack is almost a sure thing.

They must be vented through the roof .

If they screwed that up , might see what kind of insulation & vapor barrier if any was used & if it was installed properly.

!2 years old or not , the stacks in the attic are out of code ( in US) & never should have pased inspection.

Might visit a marine supplier for products that kill mold on boats in storage & see if they are OK for home use.

Best regards

Answer 5

You say the soil stack goes into the loft. Is this open ended in the loft space?

It should be either going out through the roof, or it should have an air admittance valve on the end of the pipe, any plumbers merchant will be able to supply one of these.

If its not your thing then contact a plumber

Answer 6

You need ventilation if the problem if condensation? Maybe an air brick is blocked or a bird has nested in the loft.

Answer 7

Make sure you have ventilation and its not been blocked by the insulation as sometimes happens . A good air flow will end the problem .

Answer 8

You need ridge vents and eve vents contact a roofer and the soil should be 1metre out of the roof

Answer 9

you need to get fresh air in to your loft like a air vent or sumat av a good look see if you ave blocked any up or if you have birds nesting in the vent good luck

Answer 10

agree with Bart - the problem is lack of airflow. If you have ventilation, you obviously need more. Have the soffits been plasticed as well?