![]() Just like dry rot, Interstitial condensation can be difficult to diagnose due to the fact that it’s hard to notice any signs of a problem until significant damage has been done. Yes, interstitial condensation can lead to damage in homes, the moisture deposited in walls or roofs can lead to rot, mold and hidden structural damage. Does interstitial condensation cause damage? Interstitial condensation forming on ceilings and walls. ![]() Remember, Insulation is the gift that keeps on giving, long after that fancy new central air conditioning system needs major servicing or replacement! To read all about why not to install central air in homes with a poly vapor barrier, see here. And the colder you keep your home the greater the risk, so our best advice in such a situations is to use your AC to take the edge off, but don’t set the interior temperature to frigid temperatures.Īnother fix to that problem would be when the day comes that you need to replace exterior siding, when you can add some exterior rigid insulation to the walls as a means of keeping your home cooler in summer. This is unfortunately a standard building practice in cold climates that also have hot humid summers. This is why if you have a newer home with an impermeable poly vapor barrier, you are at risk of drawing warm and humid exterior air into your wall assembly where it can condense on that cold poly surface. Polyethylene vapor barriers in combination with air conditioning in homes can rot walls because of the condensation they may cause. ![]() Yes it can, but unfortunately most HVAC installers won't tell potential new central-air clients about that fact. Can interstitial condensation be caused by central air conditioning? Despite this also technically being water forming due to condensation, this is actually a mechanical or installation failure and shouldn’t be confused with an interior condensation problem. You also have to be careful with central air conditioning systems, or ventilation systems with any element of humidity control, as we've seen internal structural damage caused by high humidity from leaking drains. This causes damage we can't typically see until most of the damage has been done and the only remedy is often an extensive and costly rebuild, which is why it's important to prevent it in the first place. While the mechanism is the same science as surface condensation, interstitial condensation forms in the core of home structures. This may sound just like the surface condensation you would see on windows, however it is not. This is known as the dew point temperature, and for interstitial condensation this condensate (or release of moisture) occurs within the core of the wall, forming water that soaks into building materials. It can also be caused in in summer months in conditions of high external humidity in combination with heavily air conditioned homes that have interior poly vapor barriers - but more of that below.įirst, a basic science lesson - when air cools down as the temperature drops, it releases moisture as condensation. Interstitial condensation is a form of damp that occurs most often in winter when warm, moist, internal air from inside a structure finds its way into cold exterior walls, floors or roof and ceilings. We’ve all heard of condensation, but has anyone ever heard of interstitial condensation? If you haven’t (or even if you have) have a read of the below. As a precursor to a new post exploring everything you wanted to know about Dry Rot but were afraid to ask, we wanted to cover the causes, effects and solutions for interstitial condensation in walls and roofs.
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