By Quad Cities Roofing · November 1, 2026
Once the heat comes on in Davenport, the attic is where hidden moisture problems start. Cornell's housing fact sheet says the primary cause of attic moisture is warm, moist air escaping from the heated house into the unheated attic, where the water vapor condenses on cold surfaces. Over time that can lower the insulation's effectiveness and damage rafters or trusses, and it often goes unnoticed because few homeowners visit the attic. [Cornell]
Warm air escapes into the attic around unsealed ceiling penetrations such as light fixtures, vent pipes and fans. [Cornell] University of Minnesota Extension advises sealing openings that let warm, moist air into walls, ceilings and the attic. [UMN Extension]
UMN Extension says a relative humidity of about 25 percent in winter is generally considered healthy and better for the house, and that condensation on windows in winter is a sign of excess moisture. Use bathroom and kitchen exhaust fans, and cut back on sources like humidifiers. [UMN Extension]
Cornell also notes that lots of icicles along your roof edge are a sign your attic probably has condensation problems, too. [Cornell]
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