Could the leaking roof insulation around the AC ductwork have absorbed water like a sponge, causing dampness and breaking sheetrock seams?
Asked by Hugo Clarke 
2 weeks ago
Last Updated: April 26, 2024
We had a metal roof that was leaking a little bit because some screws were loose. We got all the screws replaced with bigger ones.
Then there was a big storm, and our tenants said the ceiling was getting wet and the sheetrock was starting to break.
I checked the roof and didn’t see any leaks, but I did see condensation under the AC ductwork.
So, I’m wondering if the insulation could have soaked up the water like a sponge and eventually leaked through the sheetrock. Or maybe the condensation was so bad that it soaked the insulation?
Maybe the insulation trapped rainwater and prevented it from dripping onto the screws, but it would take a significant amount of condensation to saturate the insulation. You could try removing the insulation, placing dry towels or paper underneath, running the AC/heating system for a bit, and then checking for moisture from condensation. It’s a good first step.
Hey , I took the liberty of placing plastic under the ductwork and will double-check it on Wednesday before the next rain. Fingers crossed it was from the previous issue.
Just make sure to check if the drain/evaporator pan under the AC unit is not blocked. The issue might be due to overflow from there.
I already looked into that and made sure to vacuum the drain line to avoid any issues. Fingers crossed!
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