What Happens When Mold Grows in Your Attic Insulation
When was the last time you were in your attic? If you can’t remember, you’re like many MoldTech clients — the attic is out of sight and out of mind for most homeowners! While this isn’t a bad thing (there’s usually no need to visit your attic), it can mean that you might not notice a thriving colony of mold, which IS a bad thing. Mold removal in Aurora is a safe and effective way to uncover and eliminate mold hiding under insulation or growing on attic sheathing. Attic mold removal is one of our most commonly requested services, which means we have a lot of experience helping people remove and recover from it — here’s some of what we’ve discovered.
Why Mold Grows in Attic Insulation
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There are three main reasons that we discover mold in insulation.
1. Poor Ventilation and Trapped Moisture
While we may not need to heat or cool the attic, it shouldn’t be sealed tight. Ventilation helps move hot air and trapped moisture out, creating a cooler and drier atmosphere that prevents mold growth.
2. Roof Leaks and Ice Dams
Moisture can enter in many different ways, but damaged shingles can allow water to soak into the insulation, and ice dams can pull in moisture during the winter.
3. Improper Venting
If you have a vent in your bathroom or kitchen, ensure it’s routed out of the house. In many homes, the vent ends in the attic, and all that excess moisture is dumped where it can’t escape.
Signs of Mold In Your Attic Insulation
Identifying mold can be challenging, which is why MoldTech always suggests having a professional mold inspection if you have questions or concerns. Some of the triggers for calling us in may include:
- An odour like rotting leaves.
- Stains or unusual marks appearing on walls or ceilings.
- Coughing, sneezing, or other respiratory issues.
- Trouble balancing the thermostat, or high heating and cooling bills.
The Risks of Leaving Mold Untreated
If you don’t use your attic, why is it essential to have it treated quickly? Unfortunately, mold never stays put — as it grows, it needs to consume more organic material and can produce more spores, doubling its expansion rate. Spores can get into ductwork and spread to other areas of the home, sparking new infestations.
As mold affects your insulation, your home’s energy efficiency decreases, making your furnace and air conditioner work harder and longer. You may find that your home isn’t as warm as it was — or that there are hot/cold spots and you’re more uncomfortable.
Over time, mold causes structural damage that can become costly and disruptive. You may need to forgo a new kitchen to do a complete attic renovation that removes all mold, affected wood, and sometimes even roof sheathing or shingles!
What To Do If You Suspect Mold in the Attic
When in doubt, check it out! MoldTech can help you discover answers through mold testing and inspection. We’ll use nearly fifteen years of experience and expertise to thoroughly assess your home for visible and invisible signs of mold growth. We’ve learned that it’s crucial to pay attention to more than just the attic and look at both the interior and exterior to spot common causes or at-risk areas.
During an attic mold removal we’ll help you understand the root cause of a mold infestation so that you can fix leaks, improve ventilation or redirect vents, preventing future infestations. Education is an integral part of our team’s work, and we like to leave our clients feeling confident about preventing future infestations.
Early detection and removal are critical when it comes to attic mold. Let MoldTech help you with safe, effective mold removal in Aurora. Call us for a free quote and to learn more about protecting your home from moisture and mold.
