Loft condensation - is any ammount acceptable in mid winter?

[Steamer]

Briefly - I've been in this house for a few years (1980's detattched with alot of roof) and the amount of condensation droplets falling on the boarded-out loft was becoming a concern, as well as a 'lofty' smell that was sometimes noticable in one of the bedrooms.

After doing a bit of research I've put in a lap-vent (piece of 10cm pipe insulation foam) about every other rafter. The 'lofty' smell has pretty much cleared within 24 hours.

However, the last two mornings have been very frosty and there are still a few droplets of condensation falling on the boards - no where near as bad as it was previously when there were actual pools of water forming, but is this acceptable on a very cold morning?

There was alot of moisture on some of the rafters and I'm hoping the increased air flow will help dry these out in time.

Also, the loft has about 100mm of loose insulation fiber under the boards - but would fitting an extra top-up of 170mm insulation on top help combat the problem further? - Obviously then fitting loft legs to raise the existing boards above the new insulation.

It only seems to be a problem on one side of the roof, but this is the side that gets the prevailing wind so I'm hoping this might cure it.

[8-P]

The out and out answer is no, but a small amount might be "ok" depends on your standpoint. Its a no for me.

You dont mention soffit / fascia vents. Have you got any? That will make a serious difference, you want some air flow - air in, air out. Extra insulation will make your house warmer so great, but also loft colder so if moisture is up there it is more likely to condensate.

[Steamer]

Thanks 8-P

Its still on its original timber fascias and there is a good bit a light showing through from the fascia gap and the roof at the bottom (when stood inside the loft).

So from what you are saying the condensation that is in there already (formed before I opened up the lap gaps) needs a bit of time to dry out to actually break the cycle of the condensation reforming and dripping?

I only opened up the roof gaps on Monday, so in your experience would you say give a few dry warm days and keep an eye on it?

I'm fairly certain the moisture is just condensation and not any leaks or tiles missing.

[Little Lofty]

I didn't realise I smelt that bad

[roofer]

You have almost cured your problem by improving ventilation, so....

[Sheepshanks]

Unless you have an airtight loft or maybe a dehumidifier up there it's bound to happen to some extent in some weather conditions.

You get dew on the lawn some mornings and that's pretty well ventilated.

[MG-FIDO]

You get rain as well but you still wouldn't want it in your loft!

[Steamer]

Well its a -4 morning and has been very cold all night, the heating has just clicked off after being one since 7.30.

I've just had a quick look in the loft and although it damn cold in there now, there is no drops of condensation on the broads - so fingers crossed it looks like things are improving.

[Sheepshanks]

Steamer said:

Well its a -4 morning and has been very cold all night, the heating has just clicked off after being one since 7.30.

I've just had a quick look in the loft and although it damn cold in there now, there is no drops of condensation on the broads - so fingers crossed it looks like things are improving.

The specific weather conditons will have helped. It'd been continuously very cold for a couple of days so humidity levels drop, and it's also been a bit more windy so that will ventilate the loft better,

It does tend to show that you probably haven't got a huge problem with humid air getting in to the loft from the house.