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Thread: Fixture Leaks

  1. #1
    Jim Dull's Avatar
    Jim Dull Guest

    Default Fixture Leaks

    I received an email from a fella asking for some help. I would like to help him but would like input from some of you. He is having occasional leaks of water from the ceiling near and around AC vents and light fixtures.

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Plano, Texas
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    Default Re: Fixture Leaks

    Look for condenstation on the metal ducts. If insulation is lacking and humidity is high enough, it will collect and drip onto the ceiling around the grills.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Default Re: Fixture Leaks

    Jim D. - When air can pass into a cold attic through ceiling penetrations the moisture in the air condenses out on the metal parts. Around here that's metal conduit and J boxes. It may not seem like a big deal to some people but it can create quite a bit of water. The same can be true of metal ducts. It can be controlled by trying to seal up the penetrations and making sure insulation is adequate.

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    Eric Barker, ACI
    Lake Barrington, IL

  4. #4
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    Mar 2007
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    Oregon
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    Default Re: Fixture Leaks

    This is pretty much what the others said but, taking it one step further, the bath fans in particular can cause water to run back down the ducts and drip from the attic. I've seen it come through light fixtures, heat ducts and other places.


  5. #5
    Nolan Kienitz's Avatar
    Nolan Kienitz Guest

    Default Re: Fixture Leaks

    Quote Originally Posted by Matt Fellman View Post
    ... the bath fans in particular can cause water to run back down the ducts and drip from the attic. I've seen it come through light fixtures, heat ducts and other places.
    And just where are these bath exhaust fans routed? Do they just terminate in the attic or are they truly "outside" the structure ... and I don't mean just dumped into the soffit vent/eave area?

    What type of vent pipe is used for the exhaust vent? Are you saying that the bath exhaust vent pipe is causing the condensation to appear around the fixtures?

    I think Jim's input RE: insulation & humidity is pretty much right on.


  6. #6
    Join Date
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    Fletcher, NC
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    Default Re: Fixture Leaks

    Quote Originally Posted by Nolan Kienitz View Post
    I think Jim's input RE: insulation & humidity is pretty much right on.
    And Eric's explanation if also pretty much right on, for the reasons Jim said.

    Warm moist air from inside rises ... hits cold metal because of no insulation ... equals "condensation" ... condensation equals water ... water runs downhill ... gravity wins.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

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