If you’ve never had a mold problem, then you might assume that it only happens when there is a burst pipe behind a wall, mildew buildup in a humid bathroom, or a flood in the basement. However, mold can grow in all sorts of places around the home—inside and outside. Mold spores can easily transport themselves from outdoors into your home, settling on surfaces and then begin to grow and flourish if the environment is just right.
Many people forget about the sneaky places mold can hide. Do you have an attic? Have you been up there lately to check things out? Maybe not…but that’s not uncommon. Many homeowners use their attic for storage and simply forget about it; but the attic has a perfect environment for mold to grow.
What causes mold to grow in an attic?
You cannot have a mold problem without a moisture problem. If there is mold in the attic, then there is a source of moisture or a reason why moisture is prevalent in that area.
Three of the most common reasons why there would be excess moisture in an attic are:
There may be an issue with the roof, which is causing leaks
The bathroom or dryer vents are not exhausting properly
There may be blocked or insufficient ventilation
What are the signs of mold in the attic?
Mold experts say that “attic mold is most often caused by moisture build-up in a poorly ventilated area. You can check your attic space for moisture by looking at the nails; if there is excess moisture in the atmosphere there will be rust around the nails.”
Some other signs that you have a mold problem are:
- Dark staining on wood surfaces
- The smell of mildew
- Wet insulation
- Excessive heat and stuffiness
- Leaking water from detectors, light fixtures, and bath fans
How to get rid of mold in the attic?
You can get rid of mold yourself and fix the underlying problem—if you are handy in that way. Attics can be pretty dangerous and if you don’t quite know what you are looking for and how to handle the situation, a DIY job may not be the best idea.
This Old House has a YouTube video showing the process of removing mold from an attic—check it out and see if that’s something you would want to get into yourself.
Obviously if you aren’t ridding your attic of mold by yourself, the other option is to hire a mold remediation professional to come in and take care of the problem.
After a specialist is finished with the mold removal process and the underlying issue has been identified and repaired, the next best thing to do is to prevent the mold from coming back again.
How to prevent the mold problem from happening again?
At HowToRemoveBlackMold.com, they offer up a list on ways to prevent mold growth in the attic:
- Look for roof leaks; you can prevent mold infiltration by repairing or replacing any deteriorating spots on the roof.
- Check for raised shingles; when shingles become brittle and dry, they are subject to nails pushing the shingles upward and exposing the interior joists and other structures of the interior roof.
- Ensure you have good ventilation going on in the attic; because some moisture is inevitable, keeping the air moving through the attic space will help reduce moisture build-up and keep your attic free from mold.
- Keep warm air vents ventilated to the outside of the structure.
- Beware of any gaps where moisture can enter; a few common culprits are skylights, moisture barrier (check for condensation), duct work, plumbing components, and insulation (check for missing portions or sagging).
If you are unsure about whether or not you truly have mold in your attic, if you are not quite sure what the underlying issue is, or are needing to remove the mold and get tips on preventing future moldy episodes, it is best that you contact a local professional.
Professionals from Restoration Certified Specialists, Inc. will take care of you if you are in need of a mold restoration specialist! They have been proudly serving the Santa Rosa and North Bay areas since 1975.
