How To Prevent Mold In Your Attic

12/17/2020 (Permalink)

Your attic is a prime location for mold growth. Dark, close to your roof and most likely damp, and often neglected, it’s no surprise that you often hear of attic mold growth. However, there are preventative steps that you can take to avoid being surprised by mold in your attic. 

We recommend taking these measures to prevent mold in your attic:

1) Inspect your attic every season (and check for roof leaks.)

A good general rule of thumb is to inspect your attic four times a year, every season, to make sure that there are no leaks in your roof or your attic. Signs of a leak that you should look for include discoloration in wood or insulation, raised shingles, wet areas in your roof alleys or anywhere in your attic, and condensation. Catching a leak early on will ensure you prevent mold growth from the start or at least minimize it before it spirals further out of control.

2) Make sure your attic is adequately insulated.

Controlling the temperature and moisture levels in your attic is integral to preventing mold growth. Insulation does just that. Make sure that your attic has adequate insulation to minimize air transfer between it and the rest of your home. Your attic’s temperature should be at or just about the air temperature outside your home, and your attic itself as well as any heating ducts in it should be insulated so that this is the case.

3) Make sure your attic has proper ventilation.

Without proper ventilation, your attic’s moisture levels will most likely be very high, which puts your attic at a higher risk for mold growth. Mold loves moisture. The warm air that rises to your attic will condense on cold surfaces if your attic doesn’t have the ventilation it needs, so you should make sure you have vents that allow this to escape outside. Double-check that your insulation doesn’t cover your vents.

4) Vent your appliances outside, not to your attic.

Any vents in your home, including your dryer, kitchen, and bathroom vents, should not funnel air or moisture into your attic. They should vent directly outside into the fresh air. Venting your appliances to your attic is a recipe for poor ventilation there if the demands are too high for the attic to withstand, and this can result in the accumulation of moisture and mold growth. 

In the event that you discover mold in your attic or any other part of your home, give SERVPRO of Belle Meade/West Nashville a call at (615) 242-9391. We’re available 24/7, and our technicians are experts at identifying and remediating mold as well as fire damage, water damage, storm damage, and more.