Moisture Stains or Dark Stains around the HVAC Vents Covers

A lot of homes we inspect in Florida have condensation on the HVAC duct vent covers and moisture stains or mold on the ceiling around the vent.  The cold air from the vent coming in contact with warm air at the ceiling or uninsulated duct boots in the attic causes condensation to form on the vent covers.  Frequently, this condensation causes moisture stains on the ceiling.  The moisture stains can be an ongoing challenge if the cause of the condensation is not addressed. 

The watermarks on the ceiling and the droplets of moisture on the vent cover are likely caused by insufficient insulation on the ducts in the attic, inadequate insulation or uninsulated vent boots, or leaking of hot / warm attic air around the vent boots. 

What is a vent boot?   

The vent boot is the box in the attic that the air conditioning duct connects to on one side.  The vent cover is screwed into the vent boot from the ceiling side. Newer boots are often constructed out of insulation board or duct board. The older types of boots were constructed out of metal.

 

Random Moisture Stains on your Ceiling

The above picture shows an uninsulated vent boot attached to the HVAC duct. The vent cover connects to the vent boot on the inside of the ceiling. This boot has no insulation, and the joints are not sealed well. The sealant between the boot and the ductwork is leaking, and there is no sealant between the duct and the ceiling. Moisture accumulating on the vent boot drips down until it is absorbed by the drywall ceiling board, causing moisture stains around the vent cover.

People often mistake the dark stains that sometimes form around the vent for mold. The probable cause of the dark stains is the vent boot was not sealed to the ceiling board.  The dust from the attic then sticks to and stains the moist drywall board around the vent cover.

When you see the stains around your ceiling vent covers, you should not ignore them. Water damage is costly to repair, and moist conditions may encourage mold growth.

If you have random stains on the ceiling, it may be the joints that are not sufficiently insulated or sealed.  Moisture stains are visible at the joints of the ductwork in the attic in the picture above.  Condensation forms on the joint and may not evaporate in the attic.  If the condensation continues to drip, it may saturate the insulation and cause moisture stains on your ceiling.

Recommendation:   A Duct Inspection can identify the problem.  We recommend sealing the joints to prevent cooling loss in the attic and random stains on the ceiling.  Sealing the joints will also improve the efficiency of your HVAC system and help reduce your cooling costs.

 

Main Causes of Condensation at AC Vents

Not enough insulation on the ducts themselves

Cold air traveling through your ductwork in a warm or hot attic forms condensation if the duct is uninsulated or under-insulated. The air ducts in the attic should be well insulated. You should have your air conditioning system and ducts inspected; if it struggles to maintain a comfortable inside temperature on hot days, or you notice condensation on the ceiling or vent cover.

The insulation on the duct above was separated from the duct. Condensation had developed in the duct vapor barrier, and overtime had stained the middle of the ceiling.

 

Recommendation: Ducts in the attic should be well insulated and in good repair. Damaged or old under-insulated ducts should be replaced. Consider replacing the ductwork in the attic if it is 20 years or older. It will be a good investment that will be easily recovered and will save you money on your future electric bills.

Uninsulated vent ‘boot’

The metal box in your attic that attaches to the duct and the vent cover screws to is the boot.  In Florida, the uninsulated boot in the attic will generate large amounts of condensation due to the cold air in the boot and the hot air in the attic.

Above is an uninsulated galvanized duct boot. This boot was cold in the hot attic and caused water to condense on it and drip onto the ceiling.

Recommendation:  We recommend having an HVAC contractor evaluate the condition of the ductwork.  Sealing the duct to vent boot joint and insulating old metal ducts will help reduce condensation around the vents.  Older deteriorated ductwork should be replaced.

Dark Stains around your vent Cover

Dark stains around your vent cover may be mold, but more likely, it is dust collecting on the damp ceiling. The boot should be properly sealed to the ceiling. If not, it will allow attic dust or dirt to leak out of the crack between the ceiling and the vent cover. Sealing the duct to the boot is likewise very important. You may discover a leak where the vent boot attaches to the duct. If not properly sealed, the cold air will leak out. When it meets up with the hot attic air, it forms condensation.

 

Recommendation:  You should find and seal the leak. If the problem vent is easy to access from your attic, you may be able to fix the problem yourself. We recommend having a local HVAC contractor to evaluate and repair your HVAC ducts.

Covering Stains around the Vent Cover

The dark or water stains around your vent cover are difficult to cover. When the repairs have been made, the ducts have been caulked, and no more condensation is present on the covers, it will be time to cover the stains. 

 

Normal ceiling paint will not cover these stains. Moisture and dirt stains around the vent cover are resolute stains. Even with multiple coats of ceiling paint, the stains will continue to bleed through the ceiling paint.

 

Recommendations: We recommend you first cover the stains with two coats of KILZ 2 Multi-Surface Primer & Stainblocker then, paint with your choice of ceiling paint.

 

 

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
 

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893 

Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

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Radiant Barriers save Seminole County Homeowners Money

What is a Radiant Barrier? Are they effective at reducing my energy bill?

We, First Choice Home Inspections, inspect a lot of hot dusty attics, some are 165° F. We see all kinds of situations where attic insulation is insufficient, ventilation is inadequate, and rarely find radiant barriers installed in attics. According to the Department of Energy Radiant Barriers work best in hot climates when used in conjunction with sufficient insulation and ventilation. Studies show that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs 5% to 10%. The reduced heat gain may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system or improve effectiveness of an under rated systems.

Radiant barriers are installed in homes primarily to reduce summer heat gain and reduce cooling costs. Radiant barriers do not reduce heat conduction like thermal insulation materials. The barriers are comprised of a highly reflective substrate or foil that reflects radiant heat rather than absorbing it.

Heat Transfer

Like a cool spoon in cup of coffee conducts heat through its handle to your hand; heat travels from a warm area to a cool area by a combination of conduction, convection, and radiation. Heat flows by conduction from a hotter location within a material or assembly to a colder location. Heat transfer by convection occurs when a liquid or air, becomes lighter and rises. When liquid or air cools, it becomes heavier and falls. Radiant heat moves from hots surfaces and is absorbed by cooler materials or air. A car parked in the sun will absorb the radiant heat into the cars finish and transfer the heat thru the metal into the interior where it heats the air inside the car.

How Radiant Barriers Function

Most insulation materials work by slowing heat transfer. Radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems are designed to reduce the transfer radiant heat. Radiant barriers must have an air space to work. Radiant barrier are less effective when installed horizontally. Dust accumulation on the reflective surface reduces its reflective properties.

As the sun heats your roof, it makes your roof hot. The heat travels through the roofing materials to the attic side of your roof. It radiates the increased heat energy onto the cooler attic materials, the air conditioning ductwork and the ceiling of your home. A radiant barrier reduces the radiant heat transfer from the underside of the roof to the other surfaces in the attic.

Radiant Barriers help air conditioners cooling capacity

Radiant barriers are more effective in hot climates than in cool climates, especially when cooling air ducts are located in the attic. Some studies show that radiant barriers can reduce cooling costs 5% to 10% when used in a warm, sunny climate. The reduced heat gain may even allow for a smaller air conditioning system. In cool climates, however, it's usually more cost-effective to install more thermal insulation than to add a radiant barrier.

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
 

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893 

Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-choice-home-inspections

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/+FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsDeltona

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1stChoiceHomeIn

Seminole County Air Quality, Sealing Your Building Envelope

The most cost-effective way to cut heating and cooling costs, increase stability, improve comfort levels, and create a healthier interior atmosphere is to reduce the amount of air that flows in and out of your home. Before considering improving insulation or installing a vapor barrier, you should take care of those drafty utility penetrations, windows and doors. Weather stripping and caulking around doors, windows and utility penetrations are two simple and effective techniques for air-sealing that offer quick returns on investment. Weather stripping is used to seal components that move, such as entry and garage doors and operable windows. Weather strips take a lot of abuse and wear out frequently over a home’s lifetime, check them quarterly and replace as needed. Caulking (interior and exterior) is generally used for cracks and openings between stationary house components like; doors, windows, masonry cracks and ledges, utility penetrations any trim or siding joints.

Home Air Leakage

Air leakage occurs when outside air enters and conditioned air leaves your house uncontrollably through cracks and openings. When it is cold or gusty, an excessive amount of air may enter the house. During summer or warmer weather, conditioned air exits the building envelope, which can result in poor indoor air quality. Air leakage also causes moisture problems that affect the structure’s durability and the occupants’ health. Condensation is a major contributing factor to wood rot in most homes. An added benefit is that sealing cracks and openings decrease drafts, cold spots, and improves comfort. It is important to seal the fire barrier between the home and garage to reduce the chances of carbon monoxide poisoning. Never rely on air leakage for ventilation.

Detecting Air Leaks

The best way to reduce air leakage and controlled ventilation is to have a home inspection or energy audit performed on your home. The test, when performed by a licensed professional, will identify air leaks, air quality and if additional ventilation is needed. Before sealing air leaks, assess your ventilation needs for indoor air quality.

If you are planning an extensive renovation of your home, review techniques used for air sealing in new home construction and consider a home energy audit to identify all the ways your home costs you money by wasting energy. To seal air leaks, apply air sealing techniques and materials, including caulk and weather stripping.

How to Seal Air Leaks

Common places air leaks are found:

• Check the weather stripping on doors and windows.
• Check caulking on doors and windows. Old, dried and cracked caulking should be removed and replaced. There are many types of caulking for many different applications. You should know what type of caulk you should use before sealing those leaking windows.
• Check caulking where utility penetrations come thru exterior walls. Check plumbing, ducts, electrical wiring, cable TV and telephone cables comes through the floors, exterior walls, ceilings, and soffits.
• Install foam gaskets on electrical outlets and switches on perimeter walls.
• Dirty spots on insulation may be an indication of air leaks and mold. Look for leaks and seal with low-expansion spray foam. Large gaps may require the installation of flashing.
• Dirty spots on your walls, often around electrical receptacles and switches, or ceilings by vents or light fixtures, may indicate air leaks. Use foam gaskets or spray foam to seal leaks.
• Single-pane windows allow hot and cold air to transfer. Double-pane low-emissivity windows are more efficient and the cost to upgrade will be recouped in energy saving over a few years.
• Use foam sealant on larger gaps around windows, baseboards, and other places where air may leak out.
• Check your kitchen exhaust fan for air leaks. Stop air leaks by upgrading the exhaust fan or cover the vent to stop air leaks when not in use.
• Check your dryer vent to be sure it is not blocked. Lint will keep the dryer vent door from closing allowing air to leak in and out of your home. This will save energy and may prevent a fire.
• Check the bottom door sweep and threshold for pliability and damage. Replace damaged seals with energy efficient pliable sealing gaskets.

Fireplace Flues, Dampers and Chimneys

Fireplaces are a major source of air outflow. Keep the fireplace flue damper tightly closed when not in use.

• Seal air leaks around fireplace chimneys, furnaces, and gas-fired water heater vents with fire-resistant materials such as sheet metal or Sheetrock and furnace cement caulk.
• Check your makeup air vent damper to ensure it seals properly.

Fireplace flue damper doors are made from metal, constant heating and cooling can cause

Chimney Balloon

the doors to warp, crack or break, creating a passage for air loss. 

One way to seal your flue when not in operation is an inflatable chimney balloon. A chimney balloon is made of durable plastic and can be reused many times. It installs easily beneath your fireplace flue and can be removed easily. The balloon will automatically deflate within seconds if it becomes heated, if you forget to remove the balloon before making a fire. Balloons are available in various sizes online and in retail shops.

Sealing air leaks will not eliminate the need for proper insulation or radiant barriers that reduce heat flow through a home’s building envelope.

Frank Carr is the Owner / Inspector at First Choice Home Inspections in Deltona, FL serving Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Lake Counties. Formerly in the building trades, Frank’s focus is a safe home in the Orlando Metro and Daytona Beach areas of Central Florida and building FCHI. We believe that consumers have the right to expect the highest standards of thoroughness, fairness and effectiveness from their home inspector and that is exactly what we provide.
 

First Choice Home Inspections

Residential Home Inspections in Central Florida

(386) 624-3893 

Website:  http://1homeinspector.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsLlc

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-choice-home-inspections

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/+FirstChoiceHomeInspectionsDeltona

Twitter: https://twitter.com/1stChoiceHomeIn