Replies

1. 
   JAR | Jul 30, 1999 12:03am | #1

   *
   Read Fred's excellent article in the latest FHB for starters.

2. 
   Guest_ | Jul 30, 1999 12:11am | #2

   *
   Assuming it is located over the problem area, I'd check the condenser, the drip pan for the condenser, and the drain line, first. I've run into several cases where the drain line was plugged or broken, the drip pan was rusted out, and in one case, not located properly to catch all the condensate. If everything checks out, it could be the lack of a vapor retarder, combined with inadequate/ none/ poorly installed insulation, and poor attic ventilation is causing the hot, moist outside air to condense on the ceiling.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 30, 1999 03:44am | #3

   *Poly on top of the drywall would have just collected water according to the conventional wisdom -- wrong side vapor barrier for summer. Attic ventilation would actually increase the amount of water vapor condensate per hour, since outside is the source of the humid air.But this has to be a leak, right? Hot and dry SoCal just doesn't have these problems. Now, the air quality may dissolve your house ... but not rot it.

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 30, 1999 05:03am | #4

   *Might be from the condensate as described by jcallahan or it may be uninsulated ductwork in the hot humid attic space. John

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 30, 1999 05:16am | #5

   * Scooter,

   For all intent and purpose jcallahan is most likely right on the mark with his reply.

   Joseph Fusco View Image

1. 
   Guest_ | Jul 30, 1999 08:29am | #6

   *Thanks guys.I'll fly to Mnpls tomorrow. I can't wait to see a ceiling raining (probably just dripping, you know how people exaggerate). 10 to 1 it sounds like a vapor barrier or condensation from AC vents.

2. 
   Guest_ | Jul 30, 1999 11:15pm | #7

   *I don't know about the friend's house, but I live less than two hours from the Cities, and I recently went through a similar situation. Up until this record heat wave started a week or so ago, I was using open air ventilation in my house. When I closed it up and turned on the AC, I had moist walls for about a week until it all eventually dried out. My workplace was the same, with curly paper coming out of the printer and weak print. Maybe it'll take care of itself as the house dries out or with the cooler weather forecast for this weekend on.

3. 
   Guest_ | Jul 31, 1999 06:13am | #9

   *Ah, the prolonged heat wave must have millions of people scratching their heads at how their buildings are going insane. I'm in the open-air and preferably out-side camp, even here in Virginia, but the monotony of this heat has worn me out. (Having a dead AC makes it easier to be brave.)

3. 
   Guest_ | Jul 31, 1999 06:13am | #8

   *
   I have a friend who called me and complained that it is raining inside her upstairs ceiling, and it is not raining outside. She lives in Minneapolis, where it is extradordinarily hot and humid, and has the AC on full blast.

   I assume that this is a water vapor issue, and that her previous contractor that did a remuddle did not install a poly vapor above the drywall. I further suspect that there is little or no attic ventilation.

   As I build in SoCal, this is just not an issue for us here, and am not competenet to really address the problem. I will be seeing her tomorrow, and could you guys give me some advice today? Thanks in advance.

   Condensing in the Golden Gopher State,

   Scooter