Frequently Asked Questions

It depends. If you are someone who is generally successful with DIY home improvement projects, then you may have the ability to take on a project of this magnitude and importance (for your home’s health).

However, if you are someone who is generally NOT successful with DIY home improvement projects, then this is definitely not the time to be bold and “give it a shot.”

Your roof is vital to the health of your home’s structure and internal condition. To botch repairs or wing a full replacement can lead to serious damages.

Even more, you will end up spending both the time and money in performing the DIY roof project and then spend more time and money later on when you need to hire a professional to do it right.

Mold grows in attics due to four main reasons:

• Warmer temperatures.
  
  
• High humidity, condensation, or major water intrusion from a roof leak.
  
  
• Improper ventilation, no ventilation, or blocked vents.
  
  
• Lots of food (insulation, wood, dust, stored household items).

Common signs of attic mold

• Water stains on your ceiling which could be caused by a new or old leak but any water staining should be investigated.
  
  
• Water dripping from smoke detectors, light fixtures, bathroom exhaust fans, and ceiling fans. This is a sure sign that the attic has a level of moisture that needs to be addressed. Mold growth is highly likely.
  
  
• Wet insulation in the attic. Yes, attic mold loves wet insulation. In fact, it often times take only 12 hours for certain types of insulation to start growing mold. This is why mold resistant insulation is so important in an attic.(see benefits of cellulose insulation).
  
  
• Dark black staining on wood surfaces in the attic. If you see dark brown or black areas on the wood, chances are you have mold in the attic.
  
  
• Attic feels very hot or stuffy. When attics are properly ventilated, they should have the feel of a gentle (but warmish) breeze. When an attic is stuffy, that indicates you have a ventilation problem, which often results in mold problems.
  
  
• A musty smell in the attic. Sure, mold can smell like a lot of things but an attic with mold will always have a pretty musty type odor.
  
  
• Frost buildup on the underside of the roofing material in winter. When it is cold enough outside, water moisture in an attic with improper ventilation can freeze on the underside of your roof. This can be easy to spot, by the time you see it mold may have already begun to grow.

Have an expert Spray/Fog your attic with Mold Control solution. When conditions promote mold growth in the attic, a antimicrobial film “opens”, exposing the active ingredients to kill off fungus and bacteria. As moisture decreases, the surface film then reseals, locking the mold eliminating ingredients back in. Antimicrobial Technology is used to prevent mold in spaces like the attic.

• Skylights, chimneys, attic windows and any portion of the attic/roof where dissimilar materials join each other (including flashings). These places are hotbeds for potential moisture intrusion.
  
  
• Condensation underneath a vapor barrier if one is installed.
  
  
• Leaks coming from and around attic plumbing stacks.
  
  
• Soffit vents. Make sure they are free of insulation, bird nests, and other debris that could be blocking them and preventing proper air flow.
  
  
• Discolored insulation. This is a sign of leaking air as insulation acts as a filter, becoming discolored in areas of air infiltration. Leaking areas can typically be caulked from within the attic to prevent warm, moist interior air from entering the (cold) attic where it may condense and create elevated moisture conditions conducive to mold growth.
  
  
• Dryer exhaust vents, kitchen exhaust fans and bathroom exhaust fans are designed to pump moisture out of your home. Make sure that they are vented to the outside of your home and not in the attic. Also plumbing stacks in the attic can be a source of condensation, which can lead to attic mold growth. Each appliance and vent should have it’s own dedicated port to transport the hot air outside. However, because dryer vents require periodic cleaning, you’ll want to easily access the inside of the pipe to remove any lint build up, therefore, your dryer vent should have a removable section of pipe in the attic area.
  
  
• Discoloration of insulation and wood (e.g. rafters, sheathing, joists, attic side of fascia boards, etc.).
  
  
• Wet areas in roof valleys (where two roofs join at an angle), which are highly susceptible to roof leaks.

• Prevent ice dams: Ice Dams occur when water can’t drain properly from the roof, freezes, and backs up into the home through the attic. The stagnant water causes attic mold growth.
• Clean your gutters regularly: As you’re cleaning the gutters, look for leaks and misaligned pipes and make sure the downspouts carry water at least 10 feet away from the house’s foundation.
  
  
• Make sure insulation is properly installed: Insulation should prevent warmer air from penetrating into the colder attic, which will cause condensation and moisture build up. But like I mentioned above, don’t over insulate either.
  
  
• Install an attic vent fan: This is extra insurance against potential future elevated moisture conditions because the fan will turn on when/if elevated moisture conditions present. This is a popular solar powered attic fan.
  
  
• Inspect your attic twice a year: This is the best way to ensure that a leak doesn’t go unnoticed for too long and mold has not taken root.
  
  
• 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. High winds can also push old and damaged shingles upward allowing rain into your attic.