Licensed • Bonded • Insured

Licensed • Bonded • Insured

Insurance Preferred Damage Restoration • Eco-Friendly Solutions

Common Causes of Attic Mold

If you smell mildew or notice that your ceiling lights are dripping water, call an attic mold removal company as soon as possible.
If you smell mildew or notice that your ceiling lights are dripping water, call an attic mold removal company as soon as possible.
Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash

Mold is a very versatile type of fungi because it can grow on pretty much everything. Mold thrives in environments with a lot of moisture, which makes your attic a prime hotspot. Here are some of the most common causes of attic mold and why, if you discover it, you should contact an attic mold removal specialist as soon as possible. 

Roof Leaks

Roof leaks are caused by several things, including – but not limited to – the age of your roof, broken shingles, and cracked chimneys. When your roof is damaged, it’s easy for water to get in, which can lead to mold. 

Roof leaks tend to cause two different types of mold: limited and systemic. Systemic growth is when the mold is caused by the air’s moisture that was brought in by the leak. Limited growth, on the other hand, is when the mold growth is contained to a small area that can be easily treated since the attic had sufficient ventilation to remove the air’s moisture content. 

Insufficient Ventilation

As noted above, poor attic ventilation is one of the most common causes of accelerated mold growth. Attics typically have a passive ventilation system that brings outside air in through the vents to warm up the attic and then escape through the ridge vents. When a vent is blocked, the attic’s circulation cycle is halted, causing the warm air to stay inside. When the warm air mixes with the insulation, it causes the wood to get wet and condensate, leading to mold. 

Vents and Fans Stop Working Properly

Every fan or vent in your house, whether they’re in the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room, is designed to pump moisture out of your home. As a result, when these stop working the way they should, it can cause the moisture to linger in your attic. Like those noted above, this condensation can lead to dangerous mold growth. 

Signs of Attic Mold

It’s important to get rid of attic mold as soon as possible. Here are the most common signs of mold you should be on the lookout for:

  • Smell of mildew
  • Dark black spots and/or discoloration on wooden surfaces
  • Damp insulation
  • Dripping water from your light fixtures and/or smoke detectors, as this could be a sign of mold developing above those spots

While it’s normal for an attic to be a bit warmer than the other parts of the house due to heat rising, if you notice that it’s excessively warmer than normal, it could be a sign of mold growth from a broken ventilation system. 

Do You Have Attic Mold? Call the Pros at Green Genie Environmental Today

If you recently found mold in your attic, don’t delay. You need to get it removed as soon as possible to protect your health and the integrity of your home. The attic mold removal specialists at Green Genie Environmental use environmentally friendly methods of identifying and treating mold. Whether it’s in your attic, or anywhere else in your home, the team at Green Genie Environmental can help. Give us a call today at (716) 466-6653.

Share This Post!