Do You Have Mold in Your Attic Insulation?
The next time you’re performing a home inspection, make sure to check for mold in your attic insulation. No matter what type of insulation you have—fiberglass, cellulose, or foam—it can get moldy under the right conditions.
Mold is a health hazard and may cause property damage if it spreads. But, if you know what mold on insulation looks like, you’ll be able to call for attic mold removal right away.
What Does Mold on Insulation Look Like?
If you’ve noticed any black, brown, or greenish discoloration on your attic insulation, it’s most likely from mold. Smelling a musty, dank odor definitely means it’s mold. Mold on attic insulation might not always be visible at first sight—it can hide inside of blown-in insulation and batting, or grow underneath the insulation on joists and beams. A bad smell in the attic usually indicates mold growth, so don’t ignore that funky odor.
How Does Attic Insulation Get Moldy?
Mold spores travel into your attic through the air vents, looking for a place to grow. When they land on your nice, warm insulation, all they need is a little humidity and some dust to get started. Mold in your attic insulation can easily spread to the rest of the house through the HVAC system, or creep down into the drywall of ceilings and floors.
Here’s a list of some of the ways insulation can get moldy:
1. Leaky Roof
Mold in attic insulation is often the first indication of a problem with your roof. Damaged flashing, missing shingles, punctures, and gutter debris can all cause roof leaks that let water into your attic.
2. Condensation
If the roof sheathing is colder than the air in your attic, moist air blowing in through the vents will create condensation. As the droplets collect, they could drip down into your insulation, giving mold spores the moisture they need to grow.
3. Humidity
If your home has no moisture barrier between the living space and the attic, humidity from the bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen can seep in.
4. Dust
Even though mold can’t eat stuff like fiberglass, it thrives on dust. When dust accumulates on fiberglass insulation in a warm, humid place, it can get moldy.
5. Poor Ventilation
Insufficient airflow and blocked vents trap dust and moisture in your attic, creating the perfect environment for mold growth. Make sure that your vents are not covered by insulation or storage, and check to see that your attic fan is working.
Attic Mold Inspections in San Francisco
Are you sniffling and sneezing? It could be due to mold in your attic insulation! For attic mold inspections, testing, and removal, call on the experts at My Pure Environment. Our dry fog method eliminates mold in attic insulation by permeating every crack and crevice. Protect your health and your home—schedule your free mold inspection today!
Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 3/10/2022.
