Thursday, March 21, 2024

What Does Attic Mold Look Like

Whats Going On Why Now

Before/After Attic Mold Removal Frankfort, IL (Attic Mold Remediation)

Again, this a winter issue when the roof is cold and the heat is on in the home, hot air rises from the home and comes in contact with the cold roof. If the warm air is carrying moisture and warm air rises, then there will be condensation moisture on the cold surface, the underside of the roof.

The image below shows natural convection of the warm air stack effect in a home.

Where In Homes Is White Mold Most Prevalent

Mold tends to thrive in dark, damp environments with a food source present.

Attics

Attics provide an ideal environment for white mold since they contain plenty of food sources such as wood and insulation. Leaky roofs, condensation from fluctuating temperatures, leaky pipes, and/or poor ventilation can provide mold with the moisture it needs to grow. Eliminating mold from attics can be particularly tricky due to the tight spaces. We recommend checking your attic occasionally for the appearance of white mold or a musty smell.

Basements

White mold in basements frequently grows on concrete walls, wooden floor joists and possessions stored there such as clothing. Water often seeps through basement walls to create a moist environment that is beneficial to mold growth. Cold outside air that comes in contact with warm indoor air in basements can also cause condensation making it a perfect breeding ground for white mold.

Its easy to confuse white mold in a basement with a substance known as crystalline efflorescence. Both substances grow in high humidity areas, but efflorescence isnt a type of mold. Efflorescence is a salt deposit left behind when moisture makes its way through concrete. In order to tell if it is white mold or efflorescence mist the affected area with water. If its efflorescence the salt with dissolve away. If youre still unsure, you should have a mold inspection, because mold can spread inside the walls and floor joists.

Crawlspaces

Furniture and wood

Can Mold Get Into Glass

Can mold grow on glass? regularly, it can lead to mold inside the window pane. Additionally, if moisture is trapped between the double panes of a window, this can cause mold between glass panes. Specifically, mold can in fact grow on windows and usually, moisture accumulates there if your window seal is broken.

Also Check: How To Get Mold Out Of A Blanket

What Causes Mold In An Attic

When mold grows in an attic, its caused by a moisture problem. Period. Some moisture sources are obvious and have a huge impact bathroom exhaust fans, kitchen exhaust fans, clothes dryers they all pump moisture out of the house, and they should never be vented in to the attic. Everyone knows that, right?

The less obvious moisture sources are attic bypasses air leaks that allow relatively warm, moist air from the house to get in to the attic. To reduce the amount of moisture getting in to an attic, the attic air leaks need to be sealed off. Covering these air leaks with traditional insulation doesnt stop the air movement there needs to be some type of air barrier installed, such as foam insulation or caulk. These attic bypasses show up quite clearly with an infrared camera, but any well-trained insulation contractor will already know exactly where to look for these.

Green Mold On Insulation

Example of Mold in an attic

Green mold is common on bread, fruits, and other food types. It refers to different species of fungi growing in shades of green. It also appears powdery or soft and fuzzy and can have diverse green hues.

While most of these species can grow green, the most popular types are Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Cladosporium.

Recommended Reading: How Do You Remove Mildew From Leather

White Mold In Bathroom

White mold in your bathroom can be unsightly, bringing in health risks to homeowners. Not sure whether white mold is in your bathroom? Check your ceiling the painted or wallpapered walls, caulk, and tile grout. These are the most common places where you can find mold fungus developing in your bathroom.

The bathroom has the perfect humid and temperature conditions for mold growth. Leaky plumbing pipes, sinks, and toilets can encourage fungus growth. Also, the absence of ventilation can cause lingering moisture. Considering the well-being of your household, you need to get rid of the white mold fungi as soon as you spot them.

Project Report > Inspection Regarding Mold & Moisture On Insulation

Work # 101023

  • Warehouse: 34%
  • In most cases, mold growth can occur when the relative humidity levels range 65% to 99% in a given environment. However, when cold outdoor temperatures exist, conditions can form where even low amounts of humidity can condense on poorly insulated surfaces. This dew point is where water vapor becomes liquid and provides the conditions needed for mold growth to begin.

Mold in Insulation

  • Outside: 0 ppm
  • Warehouse: 0 ppm
  • Ideally, CO concentrations indoors are expected to be the same as CO concentrations outdoors. CO concentrations are typically around one to two parts per million parts of air or less. Concentrations are usually lower in rural areas. Finding CO concentration higher indoors than outdoors indicates an indoor source of CO, or a source very close to your home.
  • Carbon Dioxide :
  • Outside: 387 ppm
  • Warehouse: 779 ppm
  • The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers recommends a concentration of CO2 no more than 700 ppm above the ambient air concentration in order to minimize human odors and maintain comfort.

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How Do I Know If There Is Mold In My Attic

Have you started sneezing and coughing but you dont have a cold? Is there a noticeable musty smell coming from your vents or in any particular areas of your home? These are signs of potential mold buildup in your home or attic. When this happens, mold spores can easily spread throughout your home via the ventilation system and trigger all types of health conditions. So if you are experiencing similar symptoms and suspect there are toxic spores in your attic, its important to perform a mold inspection and removal as quickly as possible.

In this article, well show you how to spot the signs of mold and how to address it to create a healthy environment in your home.

We Recommend Consulting With A Mold Removal Specialist If You Have Mold In Attic

A Look At Attic Mold Problems, Why Attic Mold Exists, And How To Remove Attic Mold

If you have mold in the attic, we recommend consulting with a mold removal specialist because:

  • Insulation is often affected.
  • Wooden beams and plywood may be affected and it can be difficult to remove all traces of mold from wooden surfaces.
  • Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ducts may also be affected.
  • Mold removal specialists will have all the necessary equipment to do the job properly, including a negative air machine.
  • Mold removal specialists know how to do the job safely, without exposing you and your family to additional mold spores that may be hazardous to your health.
  • Most mold removal specialists offer free consultations, during which you can gather important information and advice even if you opt to handle the mold removal yourself.

Follow this link for a list of mold removal specialists offering free consultations in your area.

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Cause #: Water Heaters Or Furnaces Installed In The Attic

Recent building practices for larger homes have changed. It used to be that only basements were used for water heaters and furnaces. However, larger homes with several heating and cooling zones, as well as spa style bathrooms with huge soaking tubs, it is now common practice to have designated systems to support these luxuries. Unfortunately, this practice can contribute to adding moisture to attics and attic mold growth if leaks arent detected in time or the appliances are improperly installed. Remedy:Get a maintenance contract with a service company to inspect your system twice a year.

What Does Mold Look Like Growing In Other Places

While its common to find mold in bathrooms due to the warm, damp air and surfaces in there, mold can be found in many other places as well. Of course, mold growing in other places may look a bit different, even if its the same type of mold, Stachybotrys chartarum. The amount of mold growing in one place can have a big effect on its appearance, as well. We hope these mold photos will give you an idea of what to look for if you are checking your home for black mold. We recommend consulting with a mold remediation specialist if you need more information about what does mold look like or if you need help identifying the type of mold growing in your home.

In this mold photo , you can see how black mold might look on a ceiling. Since the ceiling in this photo is painted white, the mold is easily visible. On a darker colored ceiling, mold may not be as apparent.

And in these mold photos , you can see how mold might look growing in an attic. People often think of mold as something found in basements, and in fact mold does often grow in basements, but it can easily grow in attics as well. All that is needed is a small leak in the roof to introduce enough moisture for mold to grow well. Since most people venture into their basements more often than their attics, a mold problem in the attic can go on for quite some time before homeowners even realize they have a problem.

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Health Symptoms Of Toxic Mold

In some cases, the first sign of toxic mold in your attic may be physical symptoms. If left untreated, toxic mold can lead to a number of health problems that can worsen with time. Some of the most common symptoms include

  • A sore throat
  • Itchy skin and eyes
  • Lethargy

These common symptoms may simply be from allergies or a cold, but if they last longer than two weeks, they may be due to untreated mold. Fortunately, these symptoms often go away once the mold is eliminated. However, toxic mold can cause worsening or even permanent problems if it remains in your environment for a long period.

For Help With Attic Mold Removal And Prevention

Why Is There White Mold In My Attic

For help with removing mold from your attic or advice on preventing mold growth in the attic, we suggest scheduling a free consultation with an experienced mold remediation professional in your own home. A professional will visit, inspect for mold, advise you about the work that needs to be done, and answer all your questions. Youll also receive a detailed written estimate for the cost of the work, if you choose to hire the professional for the job. Even if you plan to do the work yourself, though, you can benefit from some free expert advice. Follow the link to find qualified mold removal professionals offering free in-home consultations in your area.

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Attic Mold Is Common And Doesnt Have To Cost You Thousands

If you have the unfortunate experience of having to deal with attic mold, know that youre not alone. Attic mold is very common and is dealt with by tens of thousands of families every year.

Attic mold is caused by moisture issues. If your attic is well ventilated and has no moisture intrusion, you wont have attic mold to deal with.

And while it will cost some money to take care of it, know that it can be taken care of, quickly and at a reasonable cost. Your local mold professional can help. Good luck!

Answer: Control The Humidity And The Mold Growth Disappears

Here are the precise steps recommended to solve this issue for the long term.

1. Remove the insulation around the soffit/eave areas – full perimeter

2. Reinstall baffles at the eaves to promote the best possible organic attic ventilation.

3. Re-position the insulation to not cover the openings.

4. Seal the duct seams and tightly insulate the supply plenum to eliminate leakage into the attic.

Written by Eric GansI have over 1000 energy audits under my belt in Maryland. I like to take my personal experiences with each of my audit customers and try to get the things that concern them out into the world so others can make good home improvement decisions – in the right order – according to their needs.

Do you have something going on around the house? Not sure if an energy audit would be able to solve it for you?

Ask Me!I’ll let you know if it is something that is included in the service.

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Roof Issues And Leaks

Roof leaks often lead to smaller, more centralized areas of attic mold near where the leaks are occurring. Here are a few ways to check for roof leaks:

  • Check for dark discoloration or staining of wood like rafters, joists, sheathing, etc.
  • Check roof valleys , as they are susceptible to roof leaks
  • Observe vents, plumbing stacks, chimneys, and anywhere else where dissimilar materials join each other, as they are hotbeds for moisture intrusion.

How To Remove Mold On Insulation

There’s Mold in my Attic! What Caused it and How Insulwise Solves it.

Have you ever tried to remove mold? If yes, did you achieve your intended goal? And after all your efforts, did you have a permanent removal?

Removing mold may not be as easy as you think. It can be a challenging task for anyone to complete. But do you ever imagine why specialists exist? A certified remediation company will save you money, headaches, and time.

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Why Does Attic Mold Rarely If Ever Affect Indoor Air Quality In Homes

Its due to the simple fact that warm air rises in a house, this phenomenon is known as Stack Effect. Air rises from the lower levels of the home and up through the attic. Mold spores dont have wings, e.g., they cant fly against an upward flow of air from stack effect within a house, so its extraordinarily rare for attic mold spores to show up on indoor air quality mold tests. Therefore, it really isnt a per se health concern.

Mold On Attic Sheathing

Mold growth on attic/roof sheathing is a common issue in cool climates, such as the Pacific Northwest. In the vast majority of cases, the mold growth is caused by condensation. This occurs when the temperature of the sheathing drops below the dew point, creating a thin layer of moisture on the substrate. If this happens regularly, mold spores will activate and begin to grow.

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Is Attic Mold Harmful To People

Is it harmful to people? Mold can be, lets put it that way.

I dont think you should panic and I dont think you should run screaming from your home when you identify some mold in it. But the reality is mold typically acts much like an allergen.

Those are the symptoms youll typically run into. Kind of like cold or flu symptoms, allergy symptoms, or sometimes difficulty breathing. Maybe some headaches at the odd time, irritation.

But the reality is, like any allergy, for some, it does not affect them at all, and for others, there could be the slightest amount in any given area and they react badly.

How Do You Naturally Remove Mold From Attic

Is mold in your attic?

After completing the cleaning and drying process of your attic, there are a several steps to follow for natural treatment.

Step 1- Safety Gear

Protection is everything! Shield yourself from the toxicity of attic mold. While you work in your attic, spreading of the spores is natural. Cover yourself with the following.

  • A breathing mask

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How Mold Gets In Your Attic In Southern Climates

In southern climates, especially near beaches where there is high humidity, we actually get mold in our attics quite frequently.

In Florida it is actually common to have mold on the outside on of your ductwork.

This is because the humidity is so high, it can reach cool points in the attic and condensate.

Is Attic Mold Dangerous

Yes. In fact, attic mold can be more dangerous that other molds because it goes unnoticed for so long. This allows it to penetrate into walls, the HVAC system, ductwork, and more. By the time most people realize they have a mold problem in the attic, their entire house is compromised with high levels of air born mold.

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What Are The Health Risks Of Mold

Some people are instantly sensitive to mold, while others develop reactions over time due to prolonged exposure. Symptoms of mold exposure include:

  • Chest and nasal congestion
  • Watering, dry, or sore eyes
  • Skin irritation
  • Headaches

While mold sensitivity can cause allergies to flare up, prolonged exposure can be more detrimental to your health. Any symptoms should be checked by a healthcare professional to determine if mold is the source of your pain or discomfort.

Mold-Related Infections

Certain types of conditions can cause infections to develop in the lungs due to mold exposure. Compromised immune systems, pre-existing lung conditions, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder are more susceptible to health hazards associated with fungal growth.

Respiratory Conditions

Symptoms like upper respiratory tract problems, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath are linked to respiratory conditions associated with mold. That is particularly concerning for healthy children who may go on to develop asthma or other types of respiratory illnesses.

Severe and Chronic Conditions

Certain types of mold can produce mycotoxins, which is a dangerous toxic by-product that can be absorbed by the skin, airways, and intestinal lining. Prolonged exposure to mycotoxins can lead to severe and even deadly conditions, including:

  • Cancer
  • Digestive and heart failure

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