A moist loft does not necessarily mean that your roof leaks. In the UK, condensation is just as prevalent, if not more so, in winter. Here is how you can determine what it is and what to do next.
Signs it’s likely condensation
Warm, moist air meets a cold surface (like felt, rafters, or even nails), and then condensation starts to develop. Look for:
Condensation on the underside of the roof felt or timbers
Widespread damp rather than a specific place
Black mould on rafters or around the loft hatch
Rusty nail heads that expose themselves through the roof trusses
Cold weather
You may also have poor ventilation, blocked soffit vents, and bathroom/kitchen extractor fans venting into the roof space instead of to the atmosphere outdoors. For a Roofing Company Gloucester, visit https://liamtaylorservices.co.uk/
How can you tell it is more likely a roof leak?
A leak will usually manifest as a more localised problem. Watch for:
The size of a postage stamp expands after rain
One area of excessive discharge stains on insulation, impacting the plasterboard
Rain droplets occurring during or after a rainfall
Light seen from above the tiles by a chimney or flashing, for example
Exterior: Loose or missing tiles, damaged flashing, or cracked mortar
Quick checks you can do
Safely visit the loft in heavy rain and see if there are active drips
Follow the moisture back to the source – is water running down the rafters?
Inspect insulation – leaking is frequently linked to damp insulation.
If you are in any doubt, have a roofer check the work. Unlike leak repair, the remedy for condensation (ventilation) is totally different, and postponing either could result in wood rot that can inflate your costs.
