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Water Mold Fire Restoration is probably correct in assuming that it has been a while since you ventured into your home’s attic. Homeowners typically disregard attics until a problem like a roof leak or some type of water damage occurs. Because of this, attics can become a breeding ground for mold. Attics are dark and warm, and if you add moisture, they become an optimal mold growing space. Mold prevention and its necessary removal are extremely important for the homeowners.
Why Does Mold Grow In Attics?
First, attics are warm spaces. Enter one on a hot summer day and see how long it takes for you to overheat. Many attics have very poor air circulation or ventilation so there is little to no airflow through them. There are also lots of organic food sources that mold needs to survive and thrive; things like wood, dust, and your stored items, most of them in cardboard boxes. All you have to add is some moisture from high humidity or a roof leak. This is everything mold needs to develop.
Is Attic Mold Dangerous?
Without a doubt! Mold can be hazardous to your family’s health. Mold can cause allergic reactions like runny noses, skin rashes, eye irritations, and uncontrollable coughing.Mold is also dangerous to the structural integrity of your home. If attic mold is ignored it can eventually penetrate into walls and enter HVAC ductwork. If mold gets into your ductwork it can easily spread throughout your entire home.
Attic Mold Prevention
Be proactive. Inspect your attic several times a year.
- Look for discolorations of any insulation, roof sheathing, trusses, or wood framing. These are signs of a roof leak.
- Go outside and look at the shingles on your roof. Are there any missing or that you can see are raised looking? Rain could enter your attic in these areas especially under windy conditions.
- Inspect any areas that have flashing, like around a chimney. Any flashing must be firmly attached and be sealed with caulking.
- Keep gutters and downspouts clear of debris so that rainwater flowing down your roof doesn’t back up into the attic. In the winter doing this will reduce the chance of ice dams forming.
- Don’t over-insulate your attic. This may sound unusual, but some heat needs to reach the attic so that any moisture that is inside dries up.
- Install an attic vent fan that has a sensor that turns the unit on if humidity levels reach a certain level.
Get Professional Assistance Removing Attic Mold
Attics can be a dangerous place. An attic is considered to be a confined space. A confined space is defined as a room or area that is large enough for a person to enter, has only one entry or exit, and is not designed for continuous occupancy. Each year many people die in confined spaces.
Rather than take the risk of working in a confined space yourself, hire a professional mold remediation company Water Mold Fire Restoration at 800-905-0277 to remove attic mold from your home. If you want more information about attic mold or our services, you can also contact us at help@watermoldfire.net.
