Mold growth is a serious problem for homeowners. The problem will not only affect the health of those who live in the house, but it can also lead to structural damage, which can cost thousands of dollars to repair.
If you’ve got a nice, warm attic, then you’re sitting in one of the best places in your house to grow mold. It’s a place where things get moist and warm, and where there is no air circulation. And the more of these conditions you have, the more mold you could get.
When mold grows in your attic, it can ruin your belongings, cause health problems and infest other areas of the house. This is why getting rid of attic mold before it becomes too much of a problem must be your top priority, especially if you have kids around. While mold removal is not easy, it doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to get the job done when you rely on the best emergency mold removal company of professionals from Servmold of Dallas. We have been in the mold removal business for over 15 years and have a professional team of experts who can handle virtually any mold removal needs you may have and prevent molds from coming back. Our goal is to make sure you do not have to worry about mold and the damages it can bring to your family and property.
What causes mold to develop in an attic?
The causes of mold in the attic are varied, but attic moisture can be a primary culprit. A humid environment, with high levels of moisture in the air, can increase the chance of mold growth. Mold spores travel thru the air, where humidity levels are high, and this causes mold to grow. The most common causes of moisture in the attic are:
- A Leaky Roof. Roof leaks, even if they are small and localized, can lead to a large area of mold and rot and ceiling damage further down the house.
- Insufficient Insulation or Poorly Installed Insulation. In homes, insulation can help prevent moisture from getting into walls and sometimes even ceilings. Having a poorly insulated wall or floor in the attic allows moisture to seep into the attic, where it can eventually cause rot and mold growth.
- Improper Use of Wood as Attic Insulation. Woods are especially prone to moisture problems because it rots and provides weak points where moisture can leak through from the outside walls above or below the wood. When used improperly, the chances of having mold growing in your wood insulation are definitely high.
- Poor Ventilation. The most common cause of attic mold, by far, is blocked or insufficient ventilation of the attic space. Most attics are designed to allow airflow through the wood, keeping your home dry and your belongings safe. When this function is compromised, moisture can build up and mold can develop in the area below.
- Leaky Windows or Doors: If you have a loose window or door, especially if you live in a place where the humidity is high, then all that humid air can get into your house and start growing mold. The humidity makes the mold powerful enough to produce spores that can travel through the air to other places where they will grow again.
- High Humidity Level (possibly because of leaking AC vents). This problem is caused by cold air coming into the home without being warmed up by an AC system, the air being so dry it condenses, creating a path for moisture to travel through the house which can cause mold growth if left unaddressed for very long periods of time.
What are the signs of mold growth in the attic?
Mold is everywhere, and it’s almost in every home. It grows in any space that gets damp, like a bathroom or an attic, and it can be especially nasty in an old house. It’s not the kind of thing you want to mess around with, but knowing what to look for will help you find it before it becomes a problem.
Here are some things to keep an eye out for:
- Black Spots: If you notice black spots on your ceiling or walls, especially if they are shiny and sticky when you wipe them off, they might be moldy and in this case you need black mold removal services.
- Musty Odor: If you smell a musty odor in your home or office especially when the air conditioner/heater is on and in rooms with high humidity and poor ventilation but cannot find the source of the odor, it could be a mold growing inside your walls or under your floors.
- Stains on The Ceiling: Stains on the ceiling are a sure sign mold is growing in your attic or basement, or anywhere that gets wet. Sometimes there are just a few spots, but more often there are long streaks showing mold has been building over time.
- Health Problems: If you have been experiencing unexplained headaches, dizziness, or insomnia while living in your home for an extended period, these may be signs that you have molds growing in your residence.
Why should attic mold be a concern?
There are two main reasons for being concerned about mold in the attic, one obvious and one not so obvious. The obvious reason is that mold can cause serious health hazards. As mold grows, it produces billions of microscopic spores that spread quickly through even small amounts of water. Left unchecked, these spores can trigger allergies and cause respiratory problems like asthma attacks, cough and a runny nose, sinusitis, and other health problems. Aside from the health risk, molds can affect the building materials as well as your personal possessions. Most people think of mold as a harmless growth, but it is actually a destructive agent. Mold breaks up the structure of materials by attacking the molecular bonds that hold them together. The result is always a weakened or destroyed material.
Considering the damages it can bring, mold should not be considered an incidental issue or something that can be ignored; rather, it should be taken seriously as an issue that should be addressed as soon as possible.
Don’t Let Mold Grow in Your Attic
People often underestimate the extent of mold contamination in their homes. Mold is sneaky and can grow on surfaces you don’t even see. It can be hard to tell what is mold and what is not, and before you knew it, the damage might be out of hand already.
If you have the unfortunate experience of having to deal with attic mold, call Servmold of Dallas mold remediation team immediately to avoid further damages to your health and property. Our services will ensure successful mold removal and restore your premise to its original condition.
All of our mold technicians have the skills and knowledge to fully utilize any mold clean-up project size. Our mold technicians will remove all the symptoms and causes of mold growth from your home, including water damage, discoloration, odors and humidity problems to ensure the molds will not grow again. We provide the most complete services for both structural and non-structural mold removal. We can help save your property and protect your family and pets from the health and safety hazards associated with indoor air pollution caused by mold.
If you have any questions about mold remediation, please contact us at any time at 214-935-1415 or complete our online request form.
