AboutTed Barnhill (Principal, Design45 LLC) Expertise I can answer questions about architectural design, how to work with a designer, and best construction practices for most trades. I specialize in cold-climate design (I'm in Minnesota), older home renovation, and energy-efficient/sustainable design.
Experience As a Principal of Design45, I design and detail new homes and remodels. I am formally trained in architecture, but have also been a contractor and have experience with many trades. I strive to provide beautiful, durable, and efficient homes for clients and communities of all types and budgets.
Education/Credentials Undergraduate work at Princeton University (Mathematics), Master's work at the University of Minnesota (Architecture)
Question I have a new home one story ranch built in 2006. In the winter I notice moisture up in the corners where the ceiling and walls meet in a certain part of the house. This only happens when the temperature suddenly drops drastically say from 50 to 20 degrees. If it stays steady even if cold for a few days it will dissappear. Do you have some ideas as to what may be happening?
Answer Rod,
Moisture in homes is a complicated issue, and has resulted in many changes in accepted building practice over the past two decades (not to mention more than a few lawsuits). Your mystery moisture sounds like condensation, but the source and solution may not be simple to diagnose and correct.
Does the moisture appear as droplets on the surface of the wall, or is the wallboard soggy, as if soaked from behind? Is the wall at that location particularly cold?
It may be that the moisture in your home's indoor air is condensing directly on a very cold wall. It is common for blown insulation (or some batts) to settle down in the walls, leaving colder spots at the top. As the overall humidity level in your home drops with extended cold weather, the condensation would taper off.
It could also be that your attic isn't well ventilated, and the moisture in the trapped air is condensing on cold surfaces like the roof sheathing, and dripping down onto your ceiling at the roof/wall joint. A situation like this is a common type of moisture problem. Often, badly-sealed (or unsealed) exhaust ducts, recessed lights, junction boxes, etc. allow warm (relatively moist) air from the home to enter the attic and condense there, continuously dripping back onto the ceiling and walls. The fact that your moisture goes away is a good sign, but still a potentially serious source of mold and rot.
I suggest that you contact the builder; he/she may accept responsibility for this problem as a warranty matter on such a new home.
Good luck, and feel free to follow up with me. -Ted
