Mold In Attic

Mold growth in an attic comes as a consequence of excess moisture.

Mold in attic.

The chief cause of attic mold is poor ventilation. The most common cause of attic mold by far is blocked or insufficient ventilation of the attic space. 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. 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.

Mold in the attic or anywhere for that matter can be a health and safety hazard when you spot it you have to act fast. Related to 3 above this practice can pump warm moist air into the attic where it can be trapped and begin the cycle of mold growth. What causes black mold in attic. Mold species such as stachybotrys chartarum which looks like slimy growth loves attic basement bathroom and space under the sink black mold can also grow behind the walls or attic ceilings completely undetected until the occupants smell the presence or experience health problems.

Mold in attic is fairly common because attics are often damp. There are several causes that usually found in attic mold problems. Mold in attic causes. Particularly in cold climates when homeowners heat their homes in winter hot air tends to escape through the attic.

Dryer vents plumbing vents kitchen or bathroom fans vented into the attic. 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. The more moisture your attic has the bigger the risks of growing mold. Faulty roof insulation or construction can lead to leaks and a lack of proper ventilation can cause humidity to accumulate.

Therefore it really isn t a per se health concern. Even if your roof and windows don t leak though humidity in the attic can lead to the growth of mold. I ve heard many people conclude that an attic mold or moisture problem was caused by lack of ventilation but that s a little like saying a hangover was caused by not taking enough advil before going to bed. Basically molds appear in a moist environment.

If your roof leaks or any attic windows leak you ve got moisture in your attic and probably need to consider attic mold removal.