Has your home inspection turned up attic mold? It’s called cladiosporium and it produces a black or dark discoloring in attic spaces that are, or were at one time under-ventilated.
Many homes built from the early 1970′s to late 1990′s have mold issues in the attic because of the code revisions during the 70′s energy crisis. Unfortunately, the builders stopped using proper ventilation in an attempt to control homes inside temperature with less energy and this lead to more issues with attic mold.
The three major causes of a moldy attic are:
One of the major causes of attic mold is improper ventilation, particularly in the winter months. With furnaces running non-stop, the heat rises to the cold attic and eventually the cold roof. The lack of ventilation creates a dew point on sheathing when the snow is on the rooftop and the interior temperature is roughly 70 degrees. Cladiosporium grows in temperatures of 45-60 degrees. This provides the perfect conditions for the mold to take over your attic and possibly the rest of your home!
Another major cause of attic mold is clogged ventilation. Oftentimes a home and attic space will be constructed with proper ventilation, but when it comes to the insulation phase it’s either over-insulated or the insulation is carelessly installed. Thus, the intake ventilation is clogged (Soffit) and it is rendered ineffective.
Who would’ve thought the bathroom fan could cause so much trouble? Well it’s the third major cause of attic mold. If your bathroom fans are directed into the attic instead of outside through the roof, this creates moisture problems, which lead to mold problems. This means that every time someone showers in your house the moisture goes straight to the attic and that spells trouble!
Many times when a home is sided or re-sided during the installation phase, the contractor will install slotted paneling but not cut out the wooden eves behind these panels. This gives the home-owner the illusion of ventilation when there actually is none.
With the help of a Professional Remediation company your home will be rid of all mold and you don’t have to worry about the costs of mold in the future. You’ll notice the difference in the quality of air in your home and the only thing living in your attic will be there because you want it there.
Mold Solutions’ unique process goes to the root of the problem and destroys it along with its ability to reproduce. Our Certified Mold Inspector will install or recommend the proper type of ventilation specific to your needs.