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Ed Pawlowski[_3_] Ed Pawlowski[_3_] is offline
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Default Relative Humidity in the attic???

On 2/7/2019 8:51 PM, Mike wrote:
I have a temp/humidity sensor in the attic.
The attic and outside temperatures vary, but the
DEW POINT should be the same.

Often, they are.
But it's been wet this month and they don't always track.
At 2PM, the outside was 41F 41% DP=19
In the attic, it was 47F 90% DP=44
That seems to be a problem.

But at 5PM, it's
outside 36F 44% DP=16
Attic is 46F 76% DP=39

Other times the inside/attic dew points are about the same.

I've been using this site:

http://www.dpcalc.org/

The 90% number is not good for mold growth.
The 76% number ain't so bad.
The attic is below freezing at night, so may be
collecting moisture as ice crystals.

I don't have a historical log, but I haven't been alarmed in the past.

House is 47 years old ranch in Portland, Oregon.Â* Two layers of asphalt
shingles.Â* Wasn't leaking when I put on the second layer.

The insulation is fiberglass.Â* I expect it holds some moisture
and there will be some delay in the humidity dropping as the
outside humidity changes.

I called the roofer and asked about humidity in the attic and was
told to email the data.Â* The response basically ignored what I wrote
and gave no answer.

There's a lot of insulation in the attic and I can only get at about
half of it without messing up the insulation.Â* I see no evidence
of leakage around all the stuff sticking thru the roof and no
evidence of water damage, but I can't see much of the wood on the
inside of the roof.

Am I worrying too much?Â* Or should I put on the rubber boots
and trudge thru the insulation to get a better look.

What humidity should I expect to see in the attic?


My guess is worrying too much. I don't know of anyone that has ever
tracked that data. Just a guess, the air in the attic does not change
nearly as fst as outside air so even though the temperature is changing,
especially from solar load during the day, the air is not changing like
outside and moisture levels lag.

In any case, keep it well ventilated.