Software
Houzz Logo Print
jane8006

humidity and frost

2 years ago

I am looking for a reason as to why we had frost on the ceiling and walls of our newly built home, 2021 for reference.

Humidity indoors 27%, outside temperature -11°, frost where the ceiling and wall meet. The ceiling height is 9’.

Thoughts?

Comments (9)

  • 2 years ago

    Was that the first time you have seen this? Has it been -11 previously while in this home? Is there an attic? What is outside that window?

  • 2 years ago

    Could you have a heat leak in the corner (minimal insulation)that melts snow on the roof which backs up under shingles…like a water dam.

  • 2 years ago

    First time happening. The corner of the room was 34° and 31° with an infrared thermometer. They looked for an ice dam an there was nothing to indicate that. They (builder) said the installation was up to “Industry standards” but then the builder added insulation.

    I am flummoxed.

  • 2 years ago

    " They (builder) said the installation was up to “Industry standards” but then the builder added insulation. "


    OK, industry standards is bare bones, pass code. And when did they add insulation? Is this a custom home? Tract/Developer home? Do you have a pictures of the area from the exterior? Did you have the home built?

  • 2 years ago

    It’s part of a condo association. It’s a 4-plex, 3600 sq ft, brick, stone and siding exterior. The builder added insulation when he inspected the frost issue. Here is part of a letter sent by the HOA to me.

    From the HOA:

    The workers removed the aluminum panels under the soffit in the two areas in question and inspected the insulation. The builder was present and supervised the workers. I was told by the builder that the insulation in these two areas was up to industry standards, there were no gaps, and there was no moisture present. The builder said he would instruct his workers to add some additional insulation into the areas while it was open and replace the aluminum panels.

    It is the builder’s opinion that moisture formed on the interior walls because of a combination of extreme cold outside and high humidity on the inside. The HOA Board had received similar complaints from other homeowners during the extreme cold and found that homeowners were able to eliminate the problem of moisture on interior walls and glass in their units by reducing their humidity setting to 20% or less during extreme cold. The Board sent out an email notifying all homeowners 1/19/24.

    I am trying to find an outside picture. Will post when found.

  • 2 years ago

    The HOA president opined in the letter…homeowner pointed out two areas where the ceiling met the interior walls that showed, in my opinion, minor superficial water damage.

    Frustrating

  • 2 years ago

    You need to have an independent inspection of the problem done. Relying on the builder to give you an honest appraisel is asking to be ripped off. Does your builder/developer still run your HOA? Did you building have an inspection done when the developer bowed out and turned the building over to the owners? I lived through a nightmare condo situation and will never trust a developer again.

  • 2 years ago

    I have an insulation company coming tomorrow to inspect the area. The HOA was handed over to the development in June 2023.

    I feel your pain. We had to move out of our home three months after we moved in and again at the one year warranty walk through due to so many problems…list below.

    Fireplace surface broken and crooked.
    Wrong countertop throughout the whole house.
    Every piece of drywall had to be repaired and new mud.
    Painted the entire house three times.
    Poorly painted staircase. Three times and still poorly done.
    Roof leak into our basement.
    Leak in the guest bathroom wall.
    LPV flooring pops when walked on. Pulled the flooring up in the living room and entryway. Still pops and all our extra flooring was used up trying to correct the issues.
    Patio torn up and replaced.
    Etc., etc., etc.

    It has been very frustrating and disappointing. Sadly, the housing market is not healthy in our area.