#1: This one might be a shocker… A leaky roof!
Obviously, if your roof is leaking, there will be moisture in your attic. Where there is moisture, there is the potential for mold to develop. Water damage is never fun to deal with, but there’s good news: at least you know where the issue lies. Diagnosing the problem is often half of the battle, but with a leaky roof… it’s usually obvious. But, for the unlucky few who don’t venture into their attic very often – mold might have already started to grow by the time you go to retrieve your holiday decorations. That’s why it’s important to check out your attic routinely to avoid these nasty surprises.
#2: Insulation that’s missing or installed incorrectly.
It’s the era of Do-It-Yourselfers. And while performing renovations and updates yourself may be fun & cost-effective, there are some things that are better left to the pros. For instance, you may think it sounds easy to install insulation – but choosing the wrong kind of insulation or installing it improperly can be an expensive and dangerous mistake. The wrong insulation will cause moisture in the home to rise and that rising moisture will get trapped in your attic which can create a breeding ground for mold spores.
#3: Bad ventilation.
So, it’s cold in the winter – and you’re paying a fortune to heat your home. You want to save a buck, and you’ve heard that heat can escape from attic vents, or that adding more insulation to your attic will drop your electric bill drastically. While that may be true – it’s important to keep your attic as cool as possible during the winter. If you shimmy up that ladder and tack more insulation to the walls, or seal those attic vents up, you’re creating a petri dish for mold spores. All of those actions keep the moist, warm air from your home inside & where there’s moisture and warmth, there could be mold!
#4: Ventilation Round 2: Plumbing Vents, Dryer Vents & Bathroom Fans – Oh my!
To piggyback off #3, vents that go right into the attic are a leading cause when it comes to moisture retention and mold growth. Mold itself is a simple organism – in order to grow it needs food, moisture & warmth. If you take any one of those elements out of play, mold will starve and die. So it’s important to make sure your vents are routed outside, allowing moisture to really escape your home.
#5: Furnaces or Water Heaters in Your Attic
Things have changed when it comes to building homes. It used to be that basements were the only reliable location for water heaters and furnaces. But recently, in larger homes with multiple zones to heat and cool, and those fancy spa-like bathrooms with gigantic bathtubs, it has become popular to have specific systems that support these luxuries. And sometimes they’re stored in the attic. This practice, however, can contribute to retaining attic moisture if leaks aren’t detected right away or the appliances are installed incorrectly. That’s why you should always have a maintenance contract with a service company who can come inspect your home and routinely check for warning signs.
So, what happens if you missed the warning signs of attic moisture and you discover mold while pulling out the Christmas china? Call Dynamic Remediation Solutions! We specialize in moisture & mold remediation and we’re ready to do what it takes to make your home a safe, mold-free environment. Contact us today to get a free consultation!
