When you own a house, your attic isn’t necessarily at the front of your mind. However, your attic vents may be a hotspot for a word that no homeowner wants to hear: mold.
Our Intek team has been removing mold from Sioux Falls homes for a while now, and we know that the tough-to-reach places are often teeming with bacteria. Here are some quick facts about attic mold and how you can prevent a moldy mess in your home.
How Mold Gets in Your Attic
When you get mold in your home, it’s generally a sign of excess moisture. When this excess moisture collects in your vents, mold can grow.
This not only creates a structural problem for your home, but can also cause concern for your health. Mold can significantly trigger allergies, causing you a great amount of discomfort. However, some molds can be extremely toxic and can create neurological symptoms such as lightheadedness and painful headaches.
Mold needs immediate attention, and can enter the attic and your attic vents through a variety of scenarios. Some of the ways that mold can find its way into your attic include:
- Leaky Roof: A leaking roof creates a significant buildup of moisture — which can create a significant buildup of mold buildup in your attic. On top of this, water damage can create big structural problems and damage your ceiling. If you notice any wet spots or drippage from your ceiling, it’s crucial you remove the moisture and repair any leaking areas of your roof.
- Poor Attic Ventilation: If an attic is poorly ventilated, it can trap in warm air which can start to compact underneath your cold roofing boards, creating a dew-point. The resulting moisture buildup creates mold that can be difficult to see.
- Dirty Air Vents: The air vents in your attic, which filter incoming and outgoing air, can trap moisture inside of the attic itself. If they aren’t periodically cleaned, the dirt and grime can create places where mold loves to grow.
- Ineffective Bathroom Fans: Bathroom fans that vent in from your attic are common in many homes. However, if they aren’t functioning correctly, they can greatly increase the humidity of your attic, creating a moist area for mold to grow.
- Ice Damming: This occurs when water can’t properly drain from your roof. When the water freezes, it can backtrack into your home and create attic mold growth. To prevent this, clean your gutters every chance you get, so water can drain properly.
Mold Remediation for Your Attic
When facing this attic problem, you shouldn’t attempt mold remediation unless you fully understand what you’re doing. It’s wise to read up on mold remediation or simply contact a professional like INTEK for mold remediation.
If you’re doing it yourself, please wear proper safety equipment at all times. Mold can be toxic and shouldn’t come into contact with bare skin.
Here’s how to combat mold in your attic and home:
- Dry any visible condensation or moisture from your attic floorboards or vents.
- Use dehumidifiers to remove excess moisture.
- Increase air circulation in your attic.
- Have the mold tested to fully understand what you’re dealing with and the severity of it.
- Determine if your air vents are keeping your attic well-circulated.
Contact Us
INTEK uses only the safest biodegradable products for your safety. Our technicians can be reached at a moment’s notice, so contact us if you need mold remediation in Sioux Falls and Yankton.
