Water Surrounding Nails (under modern roofing membrane) (Ed.)

[Paul Wood]

Hi

Hope someone may be able to help with the following query. I was in my loft earlier (timber frame house that is 5 yrs old) and noticed wet patches surrounding several of the nails that on the beam to along the length of my loft. Here are approximately 15 screws/nails and around 8 screws had wet patches across the beam. I have added some photos. Are there any suggestions on what could be causing this? The issue is not contained within on particular area of the beam (they are right in areas right across). It has been partially wet/windy during the last 48 hrs. Thanks for any help they can be provided.

 

[blup]

Are the tiles/ridge damaged or letting in rain from the outside? Even a small gap can let in wind driven rain.

 

[Paul Wood]

Hi thanks for your reply. I checked the roof from below and there does not appear to be any issue with the tiles/ridge. The roof is fairly new (5 yrs old) and there doesn’t appear to be any missing/moved tiles. What is consistent is that the wet areas are surrounding where there are screws (nails are fine) on the beam and right across. I may be wrong but it appears to be a coincidence that the wet areas are not confined to one area and involve screws.

If there are any others suggestions on what this can be caused by/a major concern then that would be very helpful thanks again.

 

[Alastairreid]

Condensation.

 

[Paul Wood]

Condensation.

Thanks for the helpful response. There does not appear to be any other areas in the loft that have this type of moisture (I have noticed during very cold periods water droplets on the felt) which I understand is normal. Is there anything I should be concerned about such as damage to the areas surrounding the screws on the wood? Thanks again

 

[blup]

Maybe there isn't sufficient ventilation between roof and felt

 

[Paul Wood]

Maybe there isn't sufficient ventilation between roof and felt

Thanks. I would say there is. I’m not sure if there is anything else that could be causing the moisture around the screws? Certainly never noticed it before and the other parts of the roof/truss are dry. There is no wet patches on the beam where the screws are on.

 

[blup]

The nails create holes and moisture has tracked down them, either from condensation or wind driven rain.

 

[Paul Wood]

The nails create holes and moisture has tracked down them, either from condensation or wind driven rain.

Thank you for your helpful response

 

[datarebal]

Might be water finding it's way around the dry fix screws . Rubber washer may not have been fitted

 

[catlad]

Check it out after heavy rain in spring when the weather is warmer.

 

[Paul Wood]

Thanks again. I am puzzled why the beam was dry in the majority of places and only wet around the screws. I understand the water is likely to escalate through the gap created by the screw and there may not be a washer attached, potentially caused by heavy rain during windy periods. Due to the amount and frequency of rainfall, I would probably expect the wood to be more heavily stained over a greater area or a specific location if there was a leak in the roof. There does not appear to be any damage to the roof/tiles. I checked the beam after 24 hrs of dry, cold weather and it was not wet. Is there anything I should do other than keep an eye of things? Can’t work out what the issue would be. Cheers