Molds are multicellular fungi that grow in structures called hyphae. These hyphae are responsible for the spores that eventually grow into mold. For mold to sustain itself, it needs moisture. Without moisture, mold does not grow. With moisture, mold can attach itself to the various surfaces around your home and cause myriad problems. On the other hand, not all mold is bad as certain mold species are used in medicines and even foods.
Mold also plays a key part in nature by aiding in the decomposition of decaying matter such as fallen leaves and dying trees. This article will focus on how mold causes problems in the attic. We will answer the question, “What Causes Mold in an Attic”? With the information in this article, you will be better armed to deal with mold and the problems it causes.
How Is Mold a Problem?
Put simply, mold damages whatever it grows on. The longer you let it grow, the more damage it can potentially cause by eating through the surfaces it lands on. The purpose of mold in nature is to decay any surface it lands on, which can prove to be a costly and dangerous situation in the home.
Once mold spores mature, they can start eating away at the surfaces of your attic, threatening the structural integrity of your attic, your roof, and potentially your entire home. In addition to potentially compromising your attic and house, mold also pollutes the air, which can lead to irritation of your eyes, nose, lungs, and throat.
Molds are known to produce allergens, irritants, and sometimes toxins. For allergy-sensitive individuals, mold can cause allergic reactions and further complications. If you have a lung condition like asthma, you’re at risk of further complications from the allergens in molds that reside in the air. Mold is potentially destructive and can cost you thousands of dollars from the resulting damage.
How Does Mold Get in the Home?
Mold reproduces by replicating tiny spores. These spores are invisible to the naked eye and can easily float through the air and into your home. With time and exposure to moisture, mold can become the ultimate uninvited guest in the home. Once these spores find themselves on wet surfaces, they grow into the unsightly problem you’re familiar with. Mold doesn’t need a lot of time to grow and spreads rapidly. Mold reproduction must be avoided at all costs in the home.
What Causes Mold to Grow in the Attic?
There are a few factors that cause the growth of mold in your attic, and it all starts with moisture. As mentioned before, mold needs a moisture-rich environment laden with wet surfaces to thrive and grow. Chief among the culprits that aid in the growth of mold in the attic is poor ventilation. Ideally, your attic should have a breezy airflow. Attics have a passive airflow system in which air from the outside comes in through the eave vents and then heats up to escape through the eave vents (hot air always rises).
Without good ventilation, moisture will accumulate. If spores are present, they will make themselves at home in your attic. From there, mold will arise, spread, and cause further problems and potential damage. It’s important to keep your attic cool and dry to prevent mold in the first place.
Another cause of mold in the attic is a leaky roof. Leaky roofs on their own are a huge problem, and if your attic happens to house mold spores, they will complicate matters further when they grow into molds and, over time, threaten the integrity of your attic and by extension, the structure of your home. Stuffy, moisture-rich attics and mold spores are an awful combination for homeowners.
The time of the year can also influence the growth and proliferation of mold in your attic, namely the hot and humid summer months. Location can also be a factor in the growth of mold. People who live in naturally humid environments must be extra careful. In general, summer is when the weather is at its hottest and most humid and is a great time for these mold spores to infiltrate your attic and grow into a problem.
It’s also important to pay attention during the winter months, especially if you have a furnace or a water heater installed in the attic. If the units aren’t properly installed, leaks can occur and mold will set in, taking over your attic. During the winter, water from ice damming (water that doesn’t properly drain from the roof) can seep into the attic and provide the moisture needed for mold to grow.
Any combination of the aforementioned factors makes for the ideal environment for mold to grow, thrive, and cause problems to your attic and home.
What Can You Do?
The best thing you can do if you notice mold in your attic is to leave it to the professionals. You can try fixing the water problems present in the attic, but this could prove to be dangerous if you’re not the slightest bit careful. One slip-up, and you could cause yourself serious injury.
There are no two ways about this; cleaning mold from the attic is a dangerous proposition and should be left in the hands of experienced professionals. This is the best option because you could face potential dangers such as:
- Electrocuting yourself on exposed wires
- Hitting your head on a beam or exposed nail
- Stepping on a nail or through the ceiling and falling to the floor
If you’re going to do anything by yourself, be mindful and control the moisture levels around the house. Let the experts handle the dangerous work, and leave the mold remediation to the professionals.
About Us
At Pur360, our goal is to rid your attic of troublesome mold and give you the peace of mind you deserve. With our high-quality mold testing, remediation, and sanitation services, mold in your attic will be a thing of the past. We pride ourselves on helping you breathe easier, and we value your health and home environment.
No longer will you have to worry about mold polluting the air in your home, causing potentially dangerous problems in your attic, or health issues related to allergies and lung conditions. Our mission is your comfort.
We are a top-rated company on Google and HomeAdvisor, and we maintain an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. We understand that cleaning up water damage from a disaster or storm can be a stressful situation, and we’re here to help you!
Don’t let mold grow into a problem that costs you thousands. Contact us today for an inspection and save yourself the headache and danger of doing it yourself. Let us, the mold professionals at Pur360, put your mind at ease and solve your mold problems once and for all. We serve Illinois, Wisconsin, Florida, and Texas. In addition to our mold services, we also offer odor removal, painting, and drywall repair and removal.
