Winter in Alberta is beautiful, but for your home, it can be a season of hidden “nightmares.” 🏚️ When warm, humid air from your living space meets the freezing underside of your roof, it creates attic condensation. If left unchecked, this frost melts into “Attic Rain,” leading to mold, rot, and ruined insulation. 🌧️🛑
Here is your proactive prescription to stop attic condensation and protect your home’s health.
1. Seal the “Attic Bypasses” 🛡️
Condensation starts when warm air escapes your house. This air moves through “bypasses”—hidden gaps around light fixtures, plumbing stacks, and wiring.
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Action: Use spray foam or caulk to seal gaps around pot lights and vent pipes. 💉
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The Hatch: Ensure your attic access hatch is weather-stripped and insulated. A leaky hatch is like an open window to your attic. 🚪
2. Boost Your Insulation to R-60 📏
In 2026, the standard for Alberta homes is R-60 (about 16–20 inches of insulation). If you can see your floor joists, your insulation is too thin.
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Benefit: Thicker insulation keeps the heat in your rooms and keeps the attic floor cold. This prevents the “flash-melt” that causes attic rain. 🧊
3. Balance Your Ventilation 🔄
Your attic needs a constant “wash” of fresh air to move moisture out before it can freeze.
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Intake: Ensure your soffit vents are not blocked by insulation. Use rafter baffles to maintain a clear path for air. 🌬️
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Exhaust: Check that your roof vents (ridge or box vents) are clear of heavy snow. If air can’t get out, moisture stays in. 🏚️
4. Control Indoor Humidity 💧
The moisture in your attic comes from inside your home.
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The 25% Rule: During a cold snap, keep your indoor humidity below 25-30%. 🌡️
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Fan Power: Run bathroom and kitchen fans for at least 30 minutes after use. Ensure they vent completely outside, never into the attic! 🛁💨
👨⚕️ When to Call the Crack & Attic Doctor
If you see “frost forests” on your roof nails or damp spots on your ceiling, your attic is already in the danger zone. We provide specialized 2026 diagnostic audits to find the cure before the damage becomes permanent. ✨
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Phone: 📱 (403)-321-2623
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Email: 📧 crackandatticdoctor@gmail.com
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Website: 🌐 www.cracknattic.ca
📍 Head Office: 715, 100, 4th Av SW, Calgary, Alberta
🌍 Serving: Calgary, Cochrane, Airdrie, Chestermere, Okotoks, and High River.
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