Attic Mold Remediation: Removing Mold and Preventing Future Growth

Mold growth in the attic is a common problem for homeowners, especially in areas with high humidity or moisture. Attic mold can not only cause damage to your home, it can also pose health risks to you, your family, and your pets.

What Causes Attic Mold?

Attic mold is typically caused by a combination of moisture, heat, and poor ventilation. Here are some specific examples of why you might be facing attic mold growth:

Roof Leaks: Roof leaks can allow moisture to enter your attic space, providing an ideal environment for mold growth. Water can enter your attic through damaged or missing shingles, flashing, vents or roof sheathing.

Inadequate Ventilation: Inadequate ventilation can trap moisture in your attic, creating a humid environment that is conducive to mold growth. Without proper ventilation, moist air from your home can become trapped in the attic space, leading to condensation and mold infestation.

High Humidity: High humidity levels in your home can also contribute to attic mold growth. This can be caused by a lack of proper air conditioning or dehumidification in your home.

Insufficient Insulation: Insufficient insulation can lead to temperature fluctuations in your attic, causing condensation and mold growth.

Plumbing Leaks: Leaks from plumbing fixtures in your home can also contribute to attic mold growth. If plumbing lines run through your attic, a leak in one of these lines can cause moisture to enter your attic space and promote mold growth.

What Happens if You Don’t Remediate Mold in an Attic?

If mold is left un-remediated, it can continue to grow and spread. When this happens there are a number of issues that you could be facing, including:

Structural Damage: A mold infestation can weaken and damage the structural components of your attic, such as the roof decking and joists. This can lead to costly repairs and even compromise the safety of your home.

Health Risks: Mold can cause a variety of health problems including respiratory issues, allergies, and skin irritation. Prolonged exposure to mold can also lead to more severe health conditions such as asthma and chronic lung disease.

Decreased Indoor Air Quality: Mold spores can spread throughout your home, reducing the air quality and potentially aggravating existing health conditions.

Reduced Property Value: If mold is left unaddressed, it can significantly decrease the value of your property, making it harder to sell.

What is the Difference Between Mold Removal and Mold Remediation?

The terms “mold removal” and “mold remediation” are often used interchangeably; however, there is a subtle difference between the two terms.

Mold removal refers to the physical removal of visible mold growth from surfaces. This can involve scrubbing, sanding or otherwise physically removing the mold from affected areas. While mold removal can be effective in removing visible mold, it doesn’t address the underlying cause of the mold growth and may not be enough to prevent a future mold infestation.

Mold remediation on the other hand, involves a more comprehensive approach to addressing mold growth. This includes identifying the source of the moisture that is causing the mold growth and taking steps to address it. It also includes the removal of any visible mold growth and the application of mold-inhibiting agents to prevent future growth.

Does Removing Mold Make it Stop Growing?

Removing mold can stop it from growing on the surface where it was removed, but it doesn’t necessarily prevent future mold growth in the same area. This is because mold spores can still be present in the environment and can re-colonize on those surfaces if the conditions are right.

To prevent future mold growth, it’s essential to address the underlying cause of it. This may involve identifying and repairing a roof leak, improving ventilation, reducing humidity levels or other measures depending on the circumstances.

Does Inactive Mold Need to Be Removed?

Inactive mold does not necessarily need to be removed unless it poses a health risk or is likely to become active again. Inactive mold refers to mold that is no longer actively growing and is typically dormant.

Mold can become inactive for many reasons including a lack of moisture, exposure to sunlight or heat or due to the use of mold-inhibiting treatments. It’s important to note that inactive mold can still release mold spores into the air, which can cause allergic reactions and other health problems.

How Do I Stop Mold from Growing in My Attic?

After removing the mold, it’s essential to take steps to prevent future growth. This includes ensuring proper ventilation in the attic, maintaining proper insulation levels, and keeping the attic free of moisture. Consider installing a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air to prevent mold growth.

Regular inspections of your attic can help you identify and address any moisture problems before they lead to mold growth. If you notice any signs of mold or moisture, take action immediately to prevent further damage to your home and to protect your family’s health.

Attic mold remediation is a crucial step in protecting your home and your family’s health. By identifying and eliminating the source of moisture, protecting yourself during the removal process, and taking steps to prevent future growth, you can ensure that your attic remains mold-free. If you’re not comfortable with the remediation process yourself, consider hiring mold removal experts at a professional mold remediation company to help you get the job done right.

Will Mold Come Back After the Mold Remediation Process has been Completed?

Mold can come back after mold remediation if the underlying cause of the mold growth is not addressed. Mold growth is typically caused by a combination of moisture, warmth, and a suitable food source (such as cellulose-based materials like wood or drywall). If any of these conditions persist, mold growth can return even after remediation.

To prevent mold from coming back after remediation, be sure to address the underlying cause of the mold growth. This may involve identifying and repairing leaks in the roof, roof sheathing or plumbing, improving ventilation, reducing humidity levels, etc.

Regular inspections and maintenance can also help prevent mold growth from returning. By identifying and addressing any potential moisture issues early, you can prevent mold from gaining a foothold in your home.

Hiring a company for your attic mold removal is both safer for you and your family, and effective in maintaining a healthy living space.

How Do You Know if Mold is Still Alive?

It can be difficult to tell if mold is still alive or inactive just by looking at it. Mold can appear to be dead or dormant, but still release spores that can cause health problems.

If you suspect that mold may be present in your attic space, it’s best to have a professional mold inspection and testing done. During an inspection, our professional mold remediation specialist will visually inspect your attic for signs of mold growth and assess the extent of the damage.

If mold is found, the specialist may take samples of the mold and send them to a laboratory for testing. The laboratory will analyze the samples to determine the type of mold present and whether it is alive or dead.

In addition to laboratory testing, there are some visual clues that can indicate whether mold is still alive. These include:

Color: Living mold is typically green, black, or brown, while dead or dormant mold may be gray or white.

Texture: Living mold may appear fuzzy or slimy, while dead or dormant mold may be dry and powdery.

Smell: Living mold may have a musty or earthy smell, while dead or dormant mold may have no odor at all.

How Much Does Mold Remediation Cost?

The cost of attic mold removal can vary widely depending on many factors including the size and extent of the mold growth, labor costs in the area, and the mold growth’s underlying cause.

The cost of mold remediation typically includes:

Inspection and testing: The cost of inspecting your home for mold and testing samples in a laboratory to determine the type and extent of the mold growth.

Containment: The cost of containing the affected area to prevent the spread of mold spores to other areas of the home.

Removal: The cost of removing the mold from affected surfaces, including cleaning and disposal of contaminated materials.

Restoration: The cost of repairing any damage caused by the mold growth, such as replacing drywall or flooring.

It’s important to note that some homeowner’s insurance policies may cover mold remediation costs, depending on the cause of the mold growth and the specific policy.

If you suspect that you have an attic mold problem, it’s best to consult with a professional attic mold removal specialist such as our experts at Attic Construction who can assess the situation and provide a detailed estimate of the cost of remediation. Attic Construction is dedicated to our customers and seeks to be the most professional company in the attic restoration industry.

Written By Joseph Sheiner

Joseph Sheiner is a construction industry professional with over 15 years of experience. He began his career in the insulation industry in 2012, and co-founded Attic Construction Inc in 2013. As CEO of the company, Joe oversees all operations and is in charge of training and product knowledge.

Under Joe’s leadership, Attic Construction has become the largest leading Attic Restoration Company in San Diego, Orange County and Phoenix. He has personally performed and supervised insulation work in over 7000 homes. He is certified by Owens Corning as a CEE (Certified Energy Expert) and is a licensed contractor by the CSLB.
Most recently, Joe has helped expand Attic Construction to two additional locations – Orange County and Phoenix. He is currently working on expanding to additional locations in the near future.

View Bio