FlaCom Services

Residential Diagnostic
October 2015
South Sarasota Bayfront

Recent building diagnostic conducted on a two story 1976 residence. Clients were having difficulty controlling temperature and humidity levels, they were getting a lot of sweating on devices, trim warping and ceiling/wall spotting on the second floor.

Interior temperature and humidity levels rose sharply as you walked up the interior stairs to the second story. Immediately visible was signs of significant air infiltration coming from the attic. The two stage HVAC system was running constantly to achieve 75 interior set point. According to the thermostat the internal temperature at visit time was 78. The amount of humid dirty air streaking across the ceiling also gave way to the potential under ventilation of the attic space above. Inspection day was mild and windy, about 63%RH outside.....yet the vented attic space was found at 80%RH throughout. I spent a good deal of time inside the attic and never felt any breeze indicating decent ventilation.

Moisture accumulation was forming in many places due to elevated internal conditions. The under vented attic is expelling into the conditioned space causing the AC system to run constantly. The structures integrity is failing where the attic air is meeting the AC system air. Indoor air quality, though not sampled......was sure to be suffering.

A full upper level remediation was ultimately recommended to address all issues in one motion. Spot fixes would surely rival the cost of the broad brush approach.