Why a Musty Smell in Your Newmarket Home Could Mean Attic Mold
One of the most recognizable effects of mold growth is a musty smell. Whenever the MoldTech team walks into a property and smells this distinct odour, we know the homeowners are going to need mold removal in Newmarket, regardless of whether or not we can see visible mold growth. Hidden mold colonies can be found in any room of the house, from the attic to the basement, and will have a negative impact on the overall air quality and health of the occupants. This means that while a service like attic mold removal only treats one specific room, the whole house will benefit from mold remediation — and that musty smell will go away.
Causes of Attic Mold
The attic is very frequently affected by mold growth for several reasons. Many attics suffer from poor ventilation, which allows moisture to build up and become trapped. Airflow problems can stem from construction and design, accidents and damage, or wear and tear as insulation degrades or ages.
Exterior damage, like roof leaks from old shingles, can also cause the humidity inside an attic to spike, and old or damaged moisture barriers don’t help either. Common pests, like raccoons or mice, can further damage water-repellent membranes and introduce moisture through waste.
How Attic Mold Spreads
If you have mold in the attic, you may not think it can affect the rest of your home — after all, most attics are inaccessible, dark, and unusable spaces. But the attic affects more than you might think! Mold spores can travel through the air or ductwork to spread to other areas of the home. Structural damage caused by mold eating through wood, joists, and sheathing can spread to lower levels over time.
The real damage comes through the effect on air quality. Mold spores can travel to other areas of your home and spark new infestations — adding more fuel to the fire, so to speak. The effect of spores on human health is uncomfortable and disruptive. While coughing, sneezing, and headaches may sound annoying, months of long-term exposure can start to wear down the immune system. People with chronic conditions may have additional negative effects.
The Importance of Professional Mold Remediation
When it comes to attic mold removal, MoldTech recommends working with a specialist team rather than DIY or a general handyperson. There are several good reasons for this:
- Mold is easy to spread through tools, contact, and air. At MoldTech, we use containment, air filtration, and new, professionally cleaned tools to eliminate cross-contamination.
- Mold removal products from the hardware store are generally ineffective and may pose a risk to you or the surfaces you’re treating. We use a natural biocide that is non-toxic and highly effective.
- DIY removal often requires several treatment cycles. Who has time for that? At MoldTech, we aim to treat your mold issue effectively in as few visits as possible. We can do this through our superior training, experience, tools, and methodologies that uncover the root cause of a mold infestation so that you can prevent it from happening again in the future.
Preventing Attic Mold
The best way to prevent mold is to eliminate the conditions that cause it, and identifying the causes of mold is the most critical part of any MoldTech treatment. During a mold inspection, we’ll alert you to any areas we find that are at risk of developing mold as well as any active colonies or areas with previous mold issues, and suggest ways to prevent or eradicate growth.
You can start preventing mold today by improving your attic ventilation to reduce moisture buildup. Many homes may need more insulation, or insulation replacement, since temperature has a lot to do with humidity. Finally, we often recommend annual or bi-annual mold inspections to make sure that there are no new or emerging problems — tackling a mold infestation when it’s small is always best.
Eliminate Musty Odours in Newmarket with Mold Removal
Once you know what mold smells like, you can’t miss it. But if your home is affected by mold growth, you may be “nose blind” to the odour. This is where the MoldTech team can help — let our noses have a sniff! Beyond our senses, we’ll bring moisture meters, infrared cameras, air manometrics and other pro tools and testing protocols to take a deep look at what’s going on in your home. These science-lead tools allow us to peek behind walls without making holes or doing damage and can tell us a great deal about mold levels in your home.
To learn more about mold removal in Newmarket or ask us about having your home tested for mold, contact MoldTech online or by phone today.
