What Can You Do to Stop Mold from Spreading in Your Attic?
According to a recent study, 70% of homeowners neglect their attics, resulting in mold growth. Attic mold might seem a mere issue because the room is rarely used. This is, however, not the case. If your attic has mold, there is a high possibility of the fungus spreading to other rooms. The earlier you handle the situation, the better your chances of preventing attic mold from spreading.
Fix Leaking Roofs
Attic mold is no different from mold that grows in other areas of a house. It needs moisture to thrive. When the roof over your attic is leaky, rainwater or melted snow settles in the wooden surfaces, causing extensive mold growth.
To prevent such a disaster, check your roofs often for damage. Hire a professional to do it if you are unable to. Alternatively, you can do a moisture test in the attic’s space. This will help determine whether extra moisture is leaking from outside.
Control the Temperatures
Since mold also needs warmth to grow, you should carefully monitor the temperature in the attic. Most people regulate the temperature in all other rooms, forgetting the attic needs the same attention. When the temperature outside is cold, match it with the attic’s temperature and vice versa. You can do this by installing a temperature regulation device that extends to the attic and regularly checking it.
Properly Ventilate
Mold prevention depends on effective attic ventilation. Verify that none of your ducts, such as the gable vents, are shut. Moisture-filled air is kept from settling in your attic by having a constant airflow. Similarly, ensure that no warm, humid air, such as dryer air, is escaping into your attic because this is another simple way for mold to grow here. Adding an attic vent fan, which offers further security against moisture accumulation, is something you might want to do if you live in a particularly humid and wet environment.
Use a Spray Barrier
Spray-on sealant effectively fills up cracks and crevices in the attic. It improves humidity regulation by covering electrical outlets, panes, doorways, walls, and roofing. Spray foam can be used practically anywhere—inside or outside—where moisture might get into contact with porous surfaces or material to reduce mold risk. A mold remediation company may spray foam over surfaces (or applying it within cracks and crevices) causes it to expand gently, filling in any gaps and rendering the region water-resistant, preventing mold growth.
Avoid Ice Dams
If water from the roof cannot effectively drain, it freezes, finds its way into the house through the attic, and forms ice dams. Mold grows in attics as a result of standing water. Maintain frequent gutter cleanings. Check for defects and crooked pipes while clearing the gutters, and ensure that the downspouts transport water far from your house’s foundation.
Don’t Store Things in the Attic
One mistake we make in our homes is regarding the attic as a storage room. A cluttered attic is a potential mold breeding ground. Even if you store your things in sealed containers, mold will still find a way of growing in the attic if it is stuffed.
