Mold Remediation

Ignoring mold problems in your home can lead to several serious health and structural issues. Firstly, mold spores can cause allergic reactions, leading to symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash. Some people may experience more severe reactions like shortness of breath or asthma attacks. Prolonged exposure to mold can also lead to chronic respiratory illnesses. Secondly, certain types of mold produce mycotoxins that can cause neurological problems and, in rare cases, death. From a structural perspective, mold can damage the integrity of your home. It feeds on organic materials in your home like wood and drywall, causing them to rot and weaken over time. This can lead to costly repairs and even reduce the value of your property. Furthermore, a visible mold problem can make your home difficult to sell. Lastly, mold often produces a musty odor which can make your living environment uncomfortable.

Mold in homes is primarily caused by excess moisture or humidity within the house. This can be a result of water leaks, condensation, or poor ventilation, especially in areas like bathrooms, basements, and attics. High humidity levels create an ideal environment for mold spores to grow and multiply. In addition, if the home has experienced flooding or water damage, it is highly susceptible to mold growth. Furthermore, materials like wood, paper, carpet, and foods are conducive to mold growth when they become damp. Therefore, controlling the moisture level in your home is crucial to prevent mold growth.

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.

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.