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What causes condensation in an attic?

Attic condensation is usually caused by warm moist air leaking from the house into a cold roof void combined with inadequate ventilation. The fix is to seal the ceiling plane and restore cross-ventilation, not to add heat.

The classic pattern is black mould on the underside of the underlay and damp insulation, worst in cold weather. It usually follows an insulation upgrade that blocked the eaves ventilation path or a bathroom fan ducted into the roof void rather than outside.

Sealing the ceiling — attic hatch, downlighters, pipe and cable penetrations — reduces the moisture reaching the void. Restoring a clear ventilation path at the eaves lets what remains escape.

Checklist for a damp attic

  • Bathroom and kitchen fans ducted through the roof to outside
  • Insulated attic hatch with a seal
  • Eaves vents clear of insulation, with baffles installed
  • Insulation not blocking the cold roof airflow
  • Service penetrations through the ceiling sealed

Sources

Last reviewed 28 August 2026. General information only — not legal or planning advice.

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