How often should you check your attic? Is your attic free of molds? How bad is mold in attic? How can you treat mold in attic? 

Often neglected yet one of the important spaces of your home is attic. Do you check the walls and floors, the sides and corners of your attic quite often? If the answer is no, your attic needs a thorough check. Neglected attics have more chances of mold infestation. Molds may look like a petty problem that could be rinsed off with one splash. But it is beyond your imagination. The extent of which is even asthma, memory loss, anxiety and depression under long-term effects. First off, you need to know what mold is and what problems can it can lead to.

Why is Attic Mold Removal and Prevention important?

Moisture issues in your attic have to be resolved to avoid unnecessary problems. Mold grows in moisture and leaving it unchecked deteriorates attic sheathing and structural roof elements. Having molds in your attic means staining will become a usual phenomenon every time your attic or home is inspected. The longer you wait, the costlier it would be for mold remediation. 

According to a study by the scientists of NIEHS, mold exposure has increased the risk of childhood asthma.

Even after concealing the visible mold, contamination due to mold affects the occupants and the surrounding of the structure. This is why you should consider prevention and removal of mold. While it may seem natural and unharmful. But it can cause more health issues than you think. Attic mold spores tend to spread around the house. This can affect the family even without spending more time in the attic. It spreads and that can be problematic. Several studies have proven the ill-effects of mold growth in your home. Prolonged skin rashes, chronic cough, irritation in eyes, sore throat and other such symptoms. Take precautions and measures for mold removal to keep off health risks.

How to Prevent Mold from Attic?

As the saying goes, “prevention is better than cure”, prevention of mold is any day better than the last-minute haste. From repairing your water pipes, roofs, and other water problems and moisture leading problems to insulating and ventilating your attic right is what goes in here. 

• Minimal difference in exterior and interior temperature – Ensure there is minimal difference in temperature from the exterior (outside) and interior (inside the attic) to prevent condensation on the underside of roof sheathing.
• Consult an attic expert- Contact expert service like Celluloseman to identify air leaks and points of entry through which interior air leak into the attic. 
• Air seal all points of entry- Attic air seal all points of entry such as (bathroom fans and hoses, recessed lighting/ pot lights, use low temperature light bulbs (LED), install or fix weather stripping around attic hatch, seal around holes, gaps, and cracks inside the attic including wiring, plumbing vent pipes, or ducts (in some cases).
• Check for damage or blocked ventilation- Ensure all rafter ventilation/ baffles are not damaged or blocked with insulation.
• Repair the baffles- Repair broken or improperly installed rafter ventilation/ baffles.
• Adequate ventilation- Ensure there is adequate ventilation in the attic by determining the amount of roof ventilation required for your attic space.
• Repair the roofs- Ensure that there are no roof leaks or any damage on the roof.
• Reduce moisture- Seal the sources like gaps and cracks that let moisture seep through. 
• Keep the vent appliances on the outside- All your vent appliances used in the bathroom, kitchen and dryer should blow the air to the outside.
• Insulation to keep off mold growth- Use the right insulation like Cellulose for prevention of mold growth. 

How to Remove Mold from Attic

Every house at least once gets mold infestation. It is easier to spot and easiest to have a professional service remove it. But there are steps that you can follow to remove it yourself. Here is what you can do for attic mold removal.

Step 1:

Seal the surrounding

Use tape and spread a plastic sheeting in your attic. This prevents the spreading of mold spores around the house. 

Wet Vacuum

Use a wet vacuum to clear the accumulated water. The wet vacuum will suck up the mold spores. Avoid using a dry vacuum. It will only release mold into the air.

Clean up and dry the area

After using the vacuum treatment, sweep and scrub the area. Dry out the attic with fans or heaters. A dehumidifier will be of help. Ensure that the attic is clean and dry before you step ahead with the next method.

Step 2

Dry ice blasting

Dry ice blasting is very effective in the mold removal process. It reaches tight spaces and gaps in framings and other difficult-to-reach areas. With its thermal shock, dry ice blasting loosens up the mold and lifts it from the surface of the attic. 

Chemicals

Chemical treatments can be a little hazardous but the use of anti-microbial chemicals help to remove mold. They can be combined with other methods as well. 

Natural remedies

Natural treatments are available for mold removal. If you are skeptical of the chemicals, then this should work the best for you. Begin with the cleaning of your attic, tying off objects in bags to dry them out and dry the attic completely with fans or dehumidifiers. Further, proceed with the mold situation and removal.

Another set of natural treatment method which can work the best for DIYers are as follows.

How do you naturally remove Mold from Attic?

After completing the cleaning and drying process of your attic, there are a several steps to follow for natural treatment. 

Step 1- Safety Gear

Protection is everything! Shield yourself from the toxicity of attic mold. While you work in your attic, spreading of the spores is natural. Cover yourself with the following.

• A breathing mask
• Safety eye glasses
• A pair of rubber gloves
• Protective coverall with a hood

Step 2- Empty Attic

Ensure that your attic space is empty. Use thick bags to place things and seal the bags tight to take them outdoors. Check on the insulation and rafter. Remove the mold affected insulation (if any) and replace them later after remediation. 

Step 3- Seal the openings 

Vents and windows and other openings should be sealed with a plastic sheeting. After sealing your attic openings, you can begin with drying the mold. Active mold usually spread spores or fungus. Drying them neutralizes the spores. 

Step 4- Natural Ingredients

Get the following ingredients ready-

• White Vinegar- 1 teaspoon
• Tea tree oil (substitute for vinegar)- 1 teaspoon
• Water- 1 cup of water

Mix white vinegar or tea tree oil with a cup of water. The same proportion can be used with each cup of water that is required for the area of mold infestation. Transfer the solution in a spray bottle. Start spraying it on the mold infested area in your attic. 

Another Solution for heavy mold job-

• Hydrogen Peroxide- 1 part

• Water- 2 parts

Mix 1 part of hydrogen peroxide with 2 parts of water and spray it on the mold areas. Leave it for an hour for it to work. Some heavy molds may be stubborn enough for vinegar. Hydrogen Peroxide can help removing of mold and is safe and natural to use.

Step 5- Scrub it off

After the previous steps, scrub these areas of attic with a wire brush or any firm brush to make your job easy. Dry out the entire area once again. Remove the plastic sheeting. Check for leaks or other moisture or mold growth sources and fix them. Keep your attic intact with the precautions and remedies for getting rid of mold from attic. 

How can Celluloseman fix Attic Mold?

Mold removal specialists have better experience and knowledge in the subject. They know the exact edges and corners to look around. While DIY has proven efficient, seeking a professional would only make your attic better and increase its lifespan. As professional services are well-equipped and know which advanced equipment will be better for your attic, it is best to be left with them. There is a proper method followed by them and this will keep you off the hazards of mold removal and mold spores exposure. 

Why choose Celluloseman for mold removal? 

Mold removal requires more than mold spotting. To resolve a mold problem, it needs to be identified or inspected first. Celluloseman provides mold remediation services and follows the following process-

• Assessing the mold infested area and source of mold growth in your attic. 
• Containment of mold with appropriate steps taken to avoid the spreading of the spores.
• Abatement of mold using the key equipment by the mold removal experts.
• Reparation is done for restoring your attic to the previous condition with deodorization and cleanup.

Celluloseman provides highly professional service to homeowners and makes their attics restore its splendor again. Experts are highly skilled with the work they do and make you feel at ease and comfort that includes insulation removal, insulation installation, cellulose insulation, fiberglass insulation and many more. For more details and consultation, contact Celluloseman today. Your attic problem can be easily fixed and the solution is just a call away. Contact Celluloseman for appropriate suggestions and solutions for your problems.

Other Resources:

Alerts: Mould in workplace building by Ontario Ministry of Labour, Traning and Skills Development

Centers for Disease Control and prevention – Mold

Mold Remediation, Recommendation and review revised by Mona Shum PDF

Attic Insulation Removal