Common Mold In Attic

The chief cause of attic mold is poor ventilation.

Common mold in attic.

Roofing leaks can very quickly lead to mold growth if not professionally repaired. Attics usually have a passive ventilation system in which outside air comes in through the soffit eave vents at the bottom warms up in the attic and escapes through the can or ridge vents at the top because hot air rises. Ideally your roof will have vents along the ridge as well as along the soffits. This occurs efficiently in attics with proper ventilation but attic mold can occur if the hot air meets the cold surface of the attic roof and creates condensation.

Having one but not the other creates poor air flow allowing moisture to accumulate and mold to take hold. It s a common issue for homes in the pacific northwest. Mold in attic is fairly common because attics are often damp. The stagnant water causes attic mold growth.

Mold usually causes a musty odor and may cause staining that may be black brown gray white yellow or green. The mold itself may have a cottony texture but can also be velvety leathery or. Check around chimneys and pipes as they are common culprits. Mold found in attic areas can be challenging at times when trying to pinpoint the exact cause and source of mold growth.

Mold can also grow slowly throughout the year due to common issues. Clean your gutters when you re installing your outdoor christmas lights so that winter s rain and melting snow can drain. The most common cause of attic mold by far is blocked or insufficient ventilation of the attic space. The best way to prevent this.

By far the most common cause of mold in your attic is improper ventilation. Mold spores don t have wings e g they can t fly against an upward flow of air from stack effect within a house so it s extraordinarily rare for attic mold spores to show up on indoor air quality mold tests. If your roof leaks or any attic windows leak you ve got moisture in your attic and probably need to consider attic mold removal. Bathroom mold kitchen mold basement mold these areas tend to get all the hype but there is another area that property owners need to be aware of too the attic.

Even if your roof and windows don t leak though humidity in the attic can lead to the growth of mold. 5 common causes of attic mold. Particularly in cold climates when homeowners heat their homes in winter hot air tends to escape through the attic.