That’s right, mold in attics rarely affects indoor air quality in homes, so what’s the problem? Why is this a problem to report, why is it scaring the owners and what can be done about it? This is a common problem for homes in the Pacific Northwest. So I wanted to take a moment to address it because there is also a lot of hype and misinformation about mold.
Black or white stains in the attic?
If the lining of your attic does not look like a “new construction” and is visibly stained with black or white as in this photo, you probably have a ventilation problem that needs to be solved and mold removed.
Why does mould in the attic rarely, if ever, affect indoor air quality in homes?
This is due to the simple fact that the hot air rises; in a home, this phenomenon is called the ‘battery effect’. The air rises from the lower levels of the house and rises through the attic. Mold spores have no wings, for example, they cannot “fly” against an ascending air flow from the chimney effect in a home, so it is extremely rare for attic mold spores to appear during indoor air quality mold tests. Therefore, it is not really a health problem per se.
Why is attic mold a problem to report?
Unchecked attic mould can develop and cause structural deterioration of the attic cladding and structural elements of the roof. There is an underlying moisture problem that needs to be resolved because mold needs moisture to grow and spread. Mold in attics scares most potential buyers and homeowners; Mould in attics is a problem that will arise every time the house is inspected in the future. And the longer it waits, the more costly repairs and remediation become.
Why is attic mold scary homeowners and potential buyers?
There is a ton of interesting information about mold, but there is also a lot of misinformation and hype. The bottom line is that mold requires high humidity or high humidity to grow and spread. If you see mold, it’s probably mold. In my opinion, you don’t need to pay for an expensive mold inspection. There is a source of moisture that needs to be treated and mold removed or sanitized by a qualified professional. Treat moisture and it won’t come back, it’s as simple as that, because mold needs moisture to grow and grow.
Here is an image of a properly restored attic – neat and clean – that protects your investment in the house and is desirable for current and future homeowners (no visible mold!). I recommend using TAN color paint (see why below).
Whenever a buyer or homeowner sees mold – whether it’s in a low-down sink, crawl space, basement, ceiling or attic doesn’t really matter – it’s very concerned. Under the right conditions, mold can occur within 24 hours of a moisture event; yes, twenty-four (24) hours! Identify the source or sources of high humidity, make the necessary repairs, remove/correct any visible mold and you should be ready to go (the mold-stained plasterboard is usually replaced).
What can I do about moulding in my attic?
Technically, I recommend consulting a qualified mold sanitation contractor to treat mold in attics. There are many – and offers vary widely – so it is important to do due diligence. In my experience, remediation of mould in most attics costs about $3,000 , depending on the extent of the remediation and repairs required. Try to get 2-3 offers if you can. This is definitely a repairable problem that protects your investment in the home; The goal is to leave the attic in a desirable state (no visible mold) for the owner and future buyers. Visible mold is not desirable for anyone!
