Do you have mold growing in your attic? It is common for people to ignore mold in their attic as they do not see it every day. However, even a small patch of toxic mold can pose a variety of hazards that, when left alone, can cause significant damage to your home and health. But how do you decide if attic mold is dangerous?
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How to know if you have an attic mold problem?
- Wooden surfaces with dark spots on them. If you see any piece of wood that shows patches of discoloration, this is a tell-tale sign that mold may have formed and needs to be removed.
- Foul odor in your attic. Trust your nose; your senses are often right. The faint smell of mold from your attic could be a sign of toxic mold somewhere that will continue to spread if you do not take care of it.
- Experiencing symptoms of trouble breathing. If you or a member of your family is sick with cold-like symptoms that won’t go away, it is time to check your attic. Symptoms that last longer than normal can indicate an environmental problem like toxic mold.
What Causes Mold in the Attic?
The most common reason mold starts to form is moisture. Although, the cause of the water itself may also vary. For instance, leaks on the roof of your home may lead to mold in your attic. This may also be caused by excessive moisture in the building or home altogether.
Poor ventilation is also a possible cause of mold in attics. Having insufficient ventilation will lead to damp air in your attic, which can cause mold to form. This is particularly the case if you live in a cold climate or areas that see heavy rain. Typically, homeowners tend to heat their home in winter, which causes the hot air to rise and naturally escape through your attic. This creates condensation, which may spread to the attic floor or the ceiling, giving room for mold to spread.
Insufficient insulation can lead to a moldy attic. Not only will attic insulation conserve energy, but it also dramatically reduces the chance of mold growth. When warm air rises in your home, good insulation should provide a barrier to control conditioned air loss in your attic. On the other hand, poor insulation will increase air leaks in your attic, which will cause condensation; this leads to attic moisture and a breeding ground for mold in your attic.
Is The Mold in my Attic Dangerous?
Many types of mold pose health risks to humans, so if you see mold in your attic, you should act immediately. If you can see visible mold, you can count on a problem with your indoor air quality. If the mold is of a black color, you may have black toxic mold.
Black mold requires immediate professional mold remediation as black mold exposure will cause many health issues like:
- Difficulty in breathing
- Rashes
- Watery and itchy eyes
- A weakened immune system
- Excessive coughing
Although not all attic mold does not pose much of a hazard in small amounts, it is advised to address the problem early on. Not only is it dangerous for everybody in the household, but it will also cost you less money to remove attic mold before it accumulates.
How To Get Rid Of Attic Mold?
If you suspect you have mold in your attic, we advise you call an attic mold removal service. They will be able to thoroughly inspect and test to confirm the existence of mold or something else in your attic. It is important to note that cleaning the mold patches will not be enough if you have confirmed the attic mold. This will only be a temporary solution. If the source of the mold still exists, mold will continue to form over time.
If you cannot determine the root of the problem, it is once again advised you ask for a professional’s help. Experts will likely be able to identify what the possible causes are and resolve the issue faster than the average person.
Finding the source of moisture and addressing attic ventilation will stop all kinds of mold.
Cleaning Up the Mold
Unless you have a professional to do it for you, cleaning attic mold may prove to be a difficult task. The first step to cleaning the mold is to wear protective gear like gloves and a face mask to prevent harmful mold spores that may enter your body. It would help if you prepared an excellent disposable area where the mold will not spread or scatter.
The process of removing the mold itself is rather dangerous even for experienced professionals who have been in the line of business for a countless number of years. One mistake may result in you falling through the attic floor and severely injure yourself. Additionally, even with a mask, there is still a relative risk of contracting symptoms if the homeowner’s attempts as attics are usually confined to tight spaces.
It is highly suggested that cleaning and eliminating the homeowner’s source of attic mold only be a last resort. Variables such as temporary flooring, containment, and conditioning the air will be time-consuming and strenuous for the average person. Experts are trained and have plenty of experience in mold cleaning, so they are the most qualified for the job.
If you find black toxic mold, you must call a professional mold remediation service.
Tips to Prevent Attic Mold
Preventing attic mold is much better than treating it down the line. We must remember not to neglect even the slightest bit of black discoloration on any part of the household. The following are a few tips so that you can prevent mold from invading your home.
Frequently check your attic for roof leaks. Mold is commonly formed when there is moisture. Checking that you do not have a leaky roof and ceiling will enable you to determine attic mold risk. Inspecting the wooden pieces of your home for moisture and discoloration will help pinpoint water damage. If there are any, you must repair and replace the affected area so that water does not intrude your home.
Address Improper Ventilation. Without ventilation to release damp or warm air, elevated moisture levels in your attic will rise. Especially in places with generally cold climates or in the winter season, you must note that warm air will rise to the ceiling, then into the attic. The elevated moisture conditions will make an ideal environment for mold growth.
Having Sufficient Insulation. Insulation is perfect for controlling and conditioning the temperature or moisture in your attic. This ensures that the temperature in your attic matches the outside air temperature on winter or on hot days to reduce possible condensation.
Exhausts or vents should lead outside. Your bathroom and kitchen vent fans should have the air blow out of your home and not up into the attic since your ventilation system may not take care of all the moisture that may occur. Effectively further decreasing the chance of humidity for attic mold to grow in.
Attic mold may not seem like a big deal upon the first impression, but these spores will eventually spread into the rest of your attic and finally get into the main areas of your house. Toxic mold poses a significant health risk to you and your family. Having a professional fix your attic or prevent the mold will help any homeowner achieve a healthy and clean home environment. Is attic mold dangerous? The answer is yes.
