Mold in Your Attic
A good portion of our business at American Mold & Restoration comes from mold growth in attics. Of course, as in all mold infestations, it’s paramount to identify and correct the source of moisture.
A problem common to Maryland, attic mold frequently goes undetected, as homeowners sometimes do not enter their attic for years.
In attics there are a few common problem areas:
Improper Attic Ventilation
Attics may be vented passively through ridge vents (the highest point in your attic), soffit vents (the portion of the roof that overhangs the exterior walls), or gable vents (at the end of the attic on an exterior wall). Fans are also used to supplement ventilation and are most typically seen in a gable installation. When attic vents are occluded, severe moisture problems often appear. One of the things we see often is attic floor insulation covering the soffit vents. Another common problem is improperly installed ridge vents or ridge vents that are crushed by someone walking on the roof. And, of course, we see power ventilation fans disconnected or un-operational.
Why is air flow in the attic so important? Extreme temperature differences will cause moisture to condense in the attic. During cold months, the heated air from your living space will naturally travel upward to your cold attic causing condensation. In this case, we will typically see mold on rafters, trusses, and the plywood under the roofing material. In warm months, the hot, humid air that typifies our summers doesn’t escape as it should and leads to fungal growth. Remember, mold does not need liquid water to thrive, but will grow easily when the relative humidity is 60% or higher.
Attic Leaks
Water intrusion is the number one problem in homes today and not just in older homes. It’s amazing how many new homes have missing flashing on roofs, missing boots over sewer vents, etc. If you suspect a leak and are unable to find the source yourself, please call a professional. Sometimes the leak will be hard to find or will be so slight as to not make your ceiling wet, but damp enough to cause a big mold problem in your attic. Many of the building materials in your attic will absorb and hold water like a sponge, causing degradation of the material and a major mold problem. Repairing attic leaks may require getting on your roof,
so it may be best to call a professional.
Improperly Installed or Insufficient Attic Insulation
Insufficient insulation allows excess warm air to enter the attic during cold months, exacerbating the condensation problem discussed above. In addition, improperly insulated HVAC ductwork can also cause severe condensation. Also, the “blown in” insulation is a common culprit in clogging the soffit vents
Bathroom and Dryer Vents
It is unbelievable how many times we will find bathroom exhaust or dryer vents terminating into the attic! Hot, steamy vapor shooting into the attic in either summer or winter is a recipe for mold. Best practice is that these vents should exhaust through the roof or gable of an attic. If you haven’t peeked in your attic to see if your vents have been installed correctly, get out the ladder!
Got Attic Mold, Now What?
American Mold & Restoration will clean and remove the mold from your attic following our industry’s protocols. It’s a multi-stepped process which may involve removing attic insulation, HEPA vacuuming, cleaning and removing the mold with industrial biocides.
In some extreme cases building material may have to removed and replaced. See our Our Mold Remediation Process
for more details.
Prevent Mold Reoccurrence
Adequate ventilation is key to limiting moisture in your attic. Once you (or we) have corrected any ventilation problem that caused the mold, it is important to inspect your attic periodically to find any future problems (leaks, power ventilation failure, etc.) before more damage is done.
