Does A Direct Vent Fireplace Increase Moisture In The Attic

Attic moisture can cause mold and mildew as well as ice dams in the winter.

Does a direct vent fireplace increase moisture in the attic.

The difference in the two spaces is the dry bulb temperature. By adding moisture to the lower floor you increase the partial pressure of the water vapor which pushes it to areas of lower vapor pressure like the attic. Lowering the temperature of the attic. A direct vent fireplace uses outdoor air instead of indoor air for combustion.

The three primary differences between direct vent and traditional gas fireplaces are efficiency safety and versatility. In the attic a kneewall blocked observation of the chimney. If you raise the attic temperature the rh in both places would be the same. Direct vent fireplaces work by employing outside air rather than air inside the home for combustion.

To prevent moisture from building up in your attic you need to make sure your attic has enough ventilation and won t get too hot. Direct vent fireplaces have several advantages over traditional gas fireplaces in terms of safety efficiency and versatility. How does moisture rise from the basement to the attic. Some openings can even provide a direct path from the basement or crawl space directly to the attic.

So they equalize pretty quickly. If left untreated it can damage critical structural elements of the home such as the trusses and rafters ruin insulation damage any stored belongings and lead to the formation of potentially toxic black mold. In early january we cut an access to observe the chimney and the underside of the roof deck. Here are some diy solutions to this problem.

The air comes in through a double vent pipe s outer chamber while the inside. You can prevent these problems from occurring by maintaining a dry attic with a low relative. Make sure some air can flow through the fireplace but rain cannot enter it. Air infiltration is also a common cause for heat loss and can significantly increase heating cost.

This is a problem. Even if the supposed gas fireplace is a sealed one direct vent the pictured is not a listed vent for even combustion air. However the chimney was a different story. Condensation in the attic is a serious problem that must be addressed by homeowners.

How a direct vent fireplace is different. It pulls in air from the outdoors through the outer chamber of a double vent pipe. This may increase condensation and lower the. If air doesn t circulate in the fireplace condensation can accumulate on the walls and soak into the masonry.

The inner chamber of this pipe exhausts fumes. A sealed unused fireplace creates an opportunity for moisture problems.