Curious to see of anybody has seen ceiling condensation like this?

3 years ago

last modified: 3 years ago

Recently purchased a new home. Love the house and property! Just have had an interesting problems with a brownish yellow condensation forming and dripping along the ceiling and top of the walls in some areas. First noticed it during a hot humid day (no rain for the past couple weeks, but humid) and haven't found the issue. First thought is proper attic ventilation. Seemed adequate. I'm lost and would appreciate help!
Pictures in comments. Blurry because I couldn't upload the video, so I just screenshot the video

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mike_home

3 years ago

I fully agree that condensation occurs when warm air in a kitchen comes in contact with a cold surface of the can of Coke.

But you said:

"When dew points are reached indoors the moisture in the air condenses on warmer surfaces."

I have never seen this happen. Can you explain it?

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Comments (17)

Marcus Vogt
Original Author
3 years ago
Marcus Vogt
Original Author
3 years ago
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mike_home
3 years ago
Is the attic above this ceiling? Is the HVAC equipment located in the attic?
Allison Rogers
3 years ago
Following
twintechhvac
3 years ago
Good attic ventilation and insulation can really help solve ceiling condensation. Other things could be getting a dehumidifier or some sort of humidity control (portable ones can work nicely). Good luck!

Twintech Heating & Cooling

https://twintechheating.ca/
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Austin Air Companie
3 years ago
When dew points are reached indoors the moisture in the air condenses on warmer surfaces.

In a home warmer surfaces are those not properly insulated against the heat on the opposite side of them.

Did you hire an HVAC contractor to inspect the home before you bought it?
mike_home
3 years ago
Are you saying cool air will condense when comes in contact with a warm surface? Are you sure about this?
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Austin Air Companie
3 years ago
What happens when you take a cold can of coke out of the refrigerator and set it on the table?

The exterior of the can starts to 'sweat' because the temperature of the contents of the can is below dew point temp of the room. Put the can in an insulated foam container... no sweating because: the can is insulated.

Am I sure, yep. Try it you'll see. AMAZING!
sktn77a
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Should read "the moisture in the air condenses on colder surfaces". In this case, I'm guessing the AC is set pretty low and the "condensate" is moisture coming from the drywall/plaster in a poorly insulated home. The OP noted how humid it is outside.
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Austin Air Companie
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
But you said:

"When dew points are reached indoors the moisture in the air condenses on warmer surfaces."

I have never seen this happen. Can you explain it?

It's essentially rain Mike. Watch the weather channel *pay attention* when they talk about dew points. (It's science, not magic.)

dew point

/ˈd(y)o͞o ˌpoint/

noun
1. the atmospheric temperature (varying according to pressure and humidity) below which water droplets begin to condense and dew can form.
(If the dew point is not reached -- no condensation forms. --- The more humidity in the air, the more condensation potential there is. In Houston area an air conditioner can produce upwards of 5 gal of condensate an hour. If an air conditioner can produce that amount of condensate waste water... there is the potential for rain (more or less) in your problem home.)

How do you *NOT* reach dew point temp inside your home? shut the air conditioner off.

But it will be too hot. Yeah no kidding... Anyone can do 'air conditioning' but that doesn't mean they should... (the difference from right and wrong)

Now that you know what wrong looks like what will you do?
mike_home
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
What happens when you take a cold can of coke out of the refrigerator and set it on the table?

The exterior of the can starts to 'sweat' because the temperature of the contents of the can is below dew point temp of the room.

(If the dew point is not reached -- no condensation forms.

So what you are saying is that condensation will occur on both colder surfaces like the can of Coke and warmer surfaces like the ceiling in this house provided the dew point is reached in each case.

How do you *NOT* reach dew point temp inside your home? shut the air conditioner off.

I don't think this statement is true. If the air conditioner is shut off won't the cold can of Coke still form condensation?
suburbanmd
3 years ago
Bottom line is that the surfaces with condensation are colder than the rest of the room, and you have to find out why. Is there a duct above the ceiling that could be leaking cold air?
PRO
Austin Air Companie
3 years ago
How do you *NOT* reach dew point temp inside your home? shut the air conditioner off.
- I don't think this statement is true. If the air conditioner is shut off won't the cold can of Coke still form condensation?
The real question should be how is the condensation on the can of Coke getting on the ceiling? (magic)

The reason why condensation forms anywhere is that dew point temperature is reached.

If you shut the AC off.... the structure itself can not hit dew point temperature. If you want to be stupid take a can of coke out of the fridge and say 'see condensation still forms'. Duh, because the can of coke is cold.

What point of dew point temperature do you not understand?
mike_home
3 years ago
Condensation forms when the temperature of the air goes below the dew point temperature. In this example let's say the room is 75 degrees. The Coke can when it comes out of the refrigerator is about 35 degrees. The air touching the surface of the Coke can is cooled below the dew point temperature. We don't know the amount of humidity in the room so we don't know the dew point temperature. We do know the dew point temperature has to be lower than the surrounding air temperature.

If condensation is forming on the ceiling then it must also be below the dew point temperature. This is possible something above the ceiling is lowering the temperature so it is below the dew point. This can be verified by touching the ceiling. If the ceiling feels colder than the room, then it is condensation forming on the ceiling surface facing the room. If it feels warmer than the room, then the condensation is coming from above and dripping through the ceiling. In either case it needs to be fixed ASAP.
PRO
Austin Air Companie
3 years ago
LOL. Mike. LOL.

I'm not here to tell you how. I am here to fix it for you.

I service the Katy, Texas area.
mike_home
3 years ago
You have to find the root cause of a problem before you can fit it.

Curious to see of anybody has seen ceiling condensation like this?

mike_home

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Curious to see of anybody has seen ceiling condensation like this?

Comments (17)

Marcus VogtOriginal Author

Marcus VogtOriginal Author

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Marcus Vogt
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