Two years ago I converted a two season sunroom to a year round room by installing new insulated sliding doors and plenty of hydronic baseboard heating. The interior ceiling had water damage so we also put on a new roof including a full rubber ice shield due to the low slope and the fact that the room is situated at the back of the house where weak sunshine hits it during the winter months.
Well, today the ceiling paint is peeling again in most of the same areas despite my diligent use of stain killer. Most of the ceiling damage is occurring at two corners of the skylights and adjacent to the wood header that runs along the top of the sliding doors. I can’t figure out the problem and the roofer refuses to cooperate with me. While there are ample soffit vents outside, I have no idea if the ceiling is properly insulated (it is very cold to the touch) and thought that these facts plus the absence of a ridge vent might be producing excessive moisture. I can’t figure it out and would welcome your insights. Thanks.
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You are describing symptoms typical of condensation from a lack of adequate insulation. No need to blame it on the roofer based on what you have described. The room was built for one kind of use and you converted it to another kind without doing everything necessary.
Buildings and rooms are designed and built for a purpose. Changing the purpose changes many aspects of the design.
You will probably need to tear down the ceiling and get some good insulation and a vapour bar in to it. You might also be able to get by with blowing in some cellulose or chopped fibreglass insulation.
But that won't help the condensation on the door header or the cevices near the skylight. Spray foam might be able to be injected there through carefully placed holes.
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Do you recommend that I work with someone who specializes in insulation? Obviously, neither the carpenter nor roofer involved had a wholistic perspective given the fact that I told them it's use was being changed. Thanks for the advice.
a true remodelor or a insulation contractor. Somew of each go by the name "Home Improvement company" but there are just as many shysters using that too..
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How would you go about installing the vapor barrier and insulation?
I would start by removing the sheet rock from the ceiling. The I would install one of two ways.
Best would be to have an insulation company place the plastic barrier ands then blow the spaces full of cellulose or chopped fibreglas, Tape over the holes and replace the ceiling.
( you can do nearly the same by just cutting holes in the ceiling as it exists and blowing in above the sheetrock. The drawbacks to this arre that it does not give the definite vapour bar and because of working in the blind, voids can be left in the insulation. )
Second choice would be to place fibreglas batts in the joist spaces, staple up a plastic VB over and then replace the sheetrock ceiling. ( You can improve on this method by putting a layer of 1/2" or 1" foil faced foam before the SR.)
With either of these methods, you still need to pay attention to the skylights. They are normaly a point attration for any condensation in any house. The glass is cold and moisture laden air rises. They are often installed with no concerns for insulation with gaps around the frame. The way to help here is to use the low expansion foam spray out of a can..
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That makes sense, thank you. Here's another question...Does the vapor barrier eliminate the need for a ridge vent? Actually, the sunroom roof doesn't have a ridge b/c the roof terminates on the back side of the house at the second story.
That's one that'll get a lot of disagreement. My answer is yes, if it is perfectly installed.
But when was the last time you saw perfection?
The reason I think you need a good VB is because I don't see how you can get a vent system working thru.
.
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Edited 2/1/2004 3:38:12 PM ET by piffin
I agree. So should the soffit vents be removed assuming a good VB is installed?
NBot in my opinion anyway. I always like to take advantage of any venting opportunity I can..
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Good. Thanks for the feedback.