Preventing Attic Mold

Preventing Attic Mold
Attic’s and crawl spaces can be notorious for growing mold. These areas should be inspected often to be sure there is adequate ventilation and no moisture is forming. Fluctuations in attic temperature can cause condensation. A moist environment, combined with a food source (wood) creates the perfect conditions for wood rot and attic mold growth. Ventilation is critical to maintaining even attic temperatures throughout the year. In the summer, proper ventilation vents excess heat. In the winter, it prevents the buildup of excess moisture and accumulation of water condensation.
Barring an actual leak in the roof, it is during the winter that the water and moisture that can lead to attic mold growth tends to occur. During cold weather, warm air from the house can escape to the cold attic area. When the warm air meets the cold surface of the roof boards, it can create ice crystals and water droplets. Insulation between the home and the attic will not only save on heat loss, but will also help with attic temperature fluctuations. More importantly however, is adequate and proper ventilation in your attic. Insulation without ventilation can be just as conducive to mold growth.
It is important to have a balanced ventilation system using equal amounts incoming (soffit vents) and outgoing air (ridge vent, box vent, or gable vent). By far one of the most common ventilation mistakes is the combined use of different ventilation systems. Incoming air enters the attic through soffits, which are vents are cut in the underside of the roof overhang. Exhaust air ventilation takes four basic forms: Gable end vents, box vents, ridge vents and power vents. Mixing ventilation types can cause problems. For example, using a ridge vent and a box vent together can cause a ridge vent to draft moisture-laden air from the box vent. When this happens, it can cause a damaging cycle of attic moisture accumulation.
A greater danger is posed by bathroom fans or other appliance vents that vent directly into the attic or soffit areas rather than directly outside. Inspect your attic for this. In many cases, moisture from bathroom fans is the primary source of attic mold infestation. For bath fans, it is important to insulate around the vent pipe exiting the fan to prevent moisture from condensing inside the pipe and all exhaust fans should vent outside, not into the attic or crawl space.
In most cases, there will be some level of moisture that accumulates in your attic, simply due to extreme temperature differences between your home and the weather outside. If attic mold does appear (as large black or colored areas), consider having the mold inspected, treated and removed with a system designed to prevent future growth. Pro Restoration is certified in mold removal and remediation, we are also licensed general contractors and oftentimes it can be more cost effective, if there is excessive attic mold growth, for us to replace the roof and sheathing and re-ventilate the attic. Mold releases powerful enzymes that rot and destroy wood and exposure to mold contaminants can cause a wide range of potential health problems.
Getting rid of the attic mold is important, preventing it is even better. When a mold issue is discovered as a result of poor ventilation, any ventilation issues should also be resolved along with the mold removal to prevent reoccurrence.