Dryer vent issues definitely slip through inspections sometimes, especially if they're hidden behind finished walls or insulation. Inspectors usually check visible and accessible areas, but they're not tearing open drywall or anything. Your attic humidity could be unrelated, but it's worth checking out. Out of curiosity, did your inspector provide photos or notes specifically about ventilation setups? Sometimes those details are easy to overlook in the inspection report...
Our inspector missed our dryer vent issue too—found out months later when the laundry room felt like a sauna! 😅 Definitely worth double-checking the report photos, sometimes clues hide in plain sight...
"Definitely worth double-checking the report photos, sometimes clues hide in plain sight..."
Couldn't agree more. When we moved into our new build, I was skeptical about the inspector's glowing report—seemed almost too good to be true. Sure enough, a few months later, we noticed condensation building up around the bathroom fan. Thought it was just steam from showers at first, but when mold started creeping in around the ceiling edges, I knew something wasn't right.
Turns out the vent ducting wasn't even connected properly in the attic—just blowing moisture straight into the insulation. Not exactly what you want to discover after paying for a "thorough" inspection. To be fair, inspectors can't catch everything, but it makes you wonder how many of these ventilation issues slip through unnoticed. Now I always recommend friends poke their heads into attics or crawl spaces themselves if they can... inspectors are helpful, but nothing beats your own eyes sometimes.
You're spot on about checking attics and crawl spaces yourself. I've seen similar issues pop up way too often, especially after storms. One thing people overlook is that even if the ducting seems connected, it might not be sealed properly. A small gap or loose tape can let moisture seep out slowly, causing hidden damage over time.
If you're comfortable doing a quick check yourself, here's what I'd suggest: grab a flashlight and head up to the attic during daylight hours (makes spotting gaps easier). Follow the duct from your bathroom fan—make sure it's securely attached at both ends and sealed tight with proper HVAC tape or clamps. Also, look for any sagging sections; ducts should run straight or slightly angled downward toward the exterior vent to prevent moisture buildup.
And don't forget to peek outside at the vent covers occasionally. Birds love nesting in those cozy spots, and a blocked vent can cause just as much trouble as a disconnected one... learned that one the hard way myself.
Good points about duct sealing—I've seen plenty of cases where builders just slap some basic tape on and call it a day. Had a tenant last year complain about odd smells and humidity in their bathroom. Turns out the duct was technically connected but had sagged enough to trap moisture, creating a moldy mess hidden behind insulation. Definitely agree it's worth checking these things yourself periodically, even in newer builds... small details can make a huge difference later on.
