This is why you see the frost.
Frost in attic during winter.
Sealing your attic access hatch to prevent the movement of indoor air past the edges is the first step.
This will freeze if attic temperatures remain below freezing causing frost to build up.
A point often overlooked is that since it s winter the water freezes on the cold nails.
If you have a roof leak in the winter months and it s not being caused by ice dam there may be another culprit.
That s about it pretty simple.
When warm air from inside the house escapes traveling up through the bypasses the moisture condenses on the roof boards and rafters where the frost can form.
1 a leak 2 air infiltration from the living spaces and 3 incorrect venting of kitchen bathroom washer drier or plumbing vents.
When the outside temperature rises again the frost thaws water collects and can leak into your house.
When the moisture gets into the attic it condenses on the roof.
Frost accumulates in attics when moisture laden air from the house gets up there when it s cold.
This exact same process is happening in your attic during extreme cold weather.
The air in the attic has water in it and it condenses on the cold metal.
The nails that you see in your attic get as cold as the outdoor temperature.
During winter there are usually three sources of humidity in an attic.