I have a question about alternating moisture levels in plasterboard.
Our flat roof is 1 year old and the paintwork in the plasterboard ceiling, right by the parapet, has been peeling off and which appears to be due to a water leak from the roof. There does not appear to be any other water damage in the room. The room itself is about 7m x 6m, of which 3m x 6m has a flat roof.
A roofer recently examined it and thought the problem was most likely due to damage to the fibre glass roof, which he then repaired. He noted the coping stones on the parapet were a little too small. He thought it would be best to monitor the moisture levels after repairing the fibre glass roof. If the dampness persisted, then I could look to replace the coping stones, the DPC underneath the coping stones etc.
I have been monitoring the situation by measuring the moisture level in the ceiling at 4 different points at 7am and 7pm every day. I've also been running a dehumidifier in the room overnight. The dehumidifier has been collecting lots of water, although I do not know to what extent this is from the ceiling or the general atmosphere.
The moisture levels seems to see saw - it tends to be lower in the morning after running the dehumidifier, however in the evening, the moisture levels rise (and this is irrespective of whether there has been any rain). This is confusing - why would the moisture levels INCREASE when there has been no rain during the day?
See data/graph of the moisture levels below, with trend lines.
Thoughts?
Our flat roof is 1 year old and the paintwork in the plasterboard ceiling, right by the parapet, has been peeling off and which appears to be due to a water leak from the roof. There does not appear to be any other water damage in the room. The room itself is about 7m x 6m, of which 3m x 6m has a flat roof.
A roofer recently examined it and thought the problem was most likely due to damage to the fibre glass roof, which he then repaired. He noted the coping stones on the parapet were a little too small. He thought it would be best to monitor the moisture levels after repairing the fibre glass roof. If the dampness persisted, then I could look to replace the coping stones, the DPC underneath the coping stones etc.
I have been monitoring the situation by measuring the moisture level in the ceiling at 4 different points at 7am and 7pm every day. I've also been running a dehumidifier in the room overnight. The dehumidifier has been collecting lots of water, although I do not know to what extent this is from the ceiling or the general atmosphere.
The moisture levels seems to see saw - it tends to be lower in the morning after running the dehumidifier, however in the evening, the moisture levels rise (and this is irrespective of whether there has been any rain). This is confusing - why would the moisture levels INCREASE when there has been no rain during the day?
See data/graph of the moisture levels below, with trend lines.
Thoughts?
