Frost In Attic During Winter

Sealing your attic access hatch to prevent the movement of indoor air past the edges is the first step.

Frost in attic during winter.

If you have a roof leak in the winter months and it s not being caused by ice dam there may be another culprit. During winter conditions attic frost is a problem associated with attic bypasses. When warm air from inside the house escapes traveling up through the bypasses the moisture condenses on the roof boards and rafters where the frost can form. During winter there are usually three sources of humidity in an attic.

The air in the attic has water in it and it condenses on the cold metal. Attic condensation the conditions that cause ice dams often cause attic condensation too. The nails that you see in your attic get as cold as the outdoor temperature. That s about it pretty simple.

This is why you see the frost. Frost accumulates in attics when moisture laden air from the house gets up there when it s cold. A point often overlooked is that since it s winter the water freezes on the cold nails. When the moisture gets into the attic it condenses on the roof.

When the outside temperature rises again the frost thaws water collects and can leak into your house. This exact same process is happening in your attic during extreme cold weather.