Molds can grow anywhere with moisture but in dealing with it, you will most likely find yourself learning how to get rid of mold in attic as this is their primary breeding ground. This area is deemed most susceptible to mold growth because of roof leaks and ventilation problems.
Although the attic can be found at the topmost part of the house, it can still affect the indoor air quality if it is highly affected by mold buildup. Thus, even if it takes a lot of work and you are putting your health on the line, you need to make the mold removal your top priority.
What Are The Signs of Attic Mold?
There are glaring signs of mold one would immediately notice upon regularly checking up the attic. This is important so you do not waste your time scrubbing off the wrong dirt.
Discoloration
One of which is the discoloration of your attic plywood. This indicates that the mold has gone beyond its moisture phase. This often appears like a black stain in wooden surfaces.
Earthy smell
Another sign is the smell of mold and mildew which is typically characterized by its musty and earthy smell. It can be likened to a decaying plant which any sharp nose would automatically notice.
Subtle signs
Other signs are indirect such as the hot atmosphere around the attic or frost buildup on roofs. The former is a tell-tale sign of your attic’s poor ventilation which indicates a mold buildup. The latter also stems from ventilation issues which then causes freezing water vapor under your roof.
Black mold
You also have to equip yourself with the knowledge of how to identify black mold as they are stereotypically referred to as the ones that may pose danger to one’s health. Mold growth is indeed not a walk in the park; you have to be cautious in your way around it.
Can you remove attic mold yourself?
Before anything else, it is important for you to distinguish between the mold removal that you can work yourself, or the mold contamination that only mold removal professionals can handle. If the mold only takes up a small area on your attic such as 10 square feet, you can proceed with the cleanup. If not, it is much better for you to call an expert.
However, whether you are removing a small amount of mold or a huge stretch of it, it is also essential that you clad yourself in safety gear such as gloves, goggles, and N-95 masks or respirators. This especially applies if the mold spores can trigger your respiratory problem.
How Do You Treat Attic Mold?
If molds appear on wooden surfaces, you can utilize a wet vacuum with a partial amount of water in its tank. This amount of water is for you to control the mold residue.
Then, use an old cloth and treat it with clean water or wood cleaner. You can also opt to wet a sponge.
You can use either of these to wipe off the surface after using the vacuum. Afterwards, leave the surface to dry completely. When it’s done, use your chosen vacuum cleaner and put the contents in a well-sealed plastic bag to dispose later as a regular waste.
Once you have removed the obvious mold buildups, you can now proceed into dealing with the molds that are out of plain sight. You can search for an over-the-counter remedy for this in your nearby markets. There are a number of mold removal products available that can get rid of even the most stubborn mold stains.
How To Prevent Attic Mold
For your cleaning effort to not go into utter waste, there are prevention tips you must apply to keep the mold out of your home. You need to get into the root cause so the same negative scenario will not happen again in the future.
Apparently, you have to know how to achieve a well-ventilated attic. To do this, you need to learn how to properly do an air sealing.
Fill the large gaps with a 16-inch fiberglass insulation and put it in a 13-gallon plastic bag. Fold the bag once and then place it in an open stud cavity.
You should also apply an active ventilation method such as installing a solar attic fan to provide a smooth airflow. This will prevent humid air from getting trapped in your attic which eventually becomes a cause of mold growth.
You can also check out this article on how to get rid of mold spores in the air to ensure the indoor air quality of your home. Cleaning is apparently not enough to completely get rid of any mold residue.
Conclusion
This guide on how to get rid of mold in attic will prevent you from any worst case scenario. Molds may be tiny but they can sure be villains in your home improvement and health when not treated right away.
Make good use of this guide and ensure that you have not skipped anything so you can make your mold cleanup a lot less difficult. May your attic be energy efficient and free of any signs of mold!