Mold Due To Improper Ventilation Of Attic

The presence of mold in your attic is often the result of poor ventilation insufficient insulation moisture from a roof leak or improper venting from your bathrooms or kitchen.

Mold due to improper ventilation of attic.

Stains around nails are not mold growth but are due to the chemical reaction between wet iron and tannins in the wood. A humid environment is the ideal place for mold or mildew to grow. Improper roof ventilation and attic insulation may seem like small issues but they can actually lead to very expensive repairs and unnecessarily high utility bills. If you combine moisture with restricted air circulation you will create a humid and moist environment the ideal environment for mold to grow and thrive.

In the winter months the cold air in the attic meets with the rising moist warm air from below caused by things like cooking heating and showering and creates condensation. Mold can damage items in attic storage and cause respiratory problems for residents. This moisture feeds mold growth. Mold that grows on the underside of roof sheathing due to ideal mold growth conditions being present.

The opposite is true but too a lesser extent. Attic mold can happen in warm or cold weather. Yet many attics with ventilation far superior to the code requirements suffer from mold issues. Seal those pathways and you will minimize the chances of attic mold growth no matter what kind of attic ventilation is present.

One of the most common causes of attic mold is a bathroom fan or dryer vent that runs into the attic. And many homes with terrible attic ventilation are completely mold free. If you re layering insulation atop other insulation don t use the kind that has kraft face finish i e paper or foil backing. Poor ventilation can lead to mold growth.

Look for signs of mold growth such as black white or brown spots appearing on walls or a musty odor. Frost buildup on the underside of the roof sheathing in winter when it s cold enough outside water vapor in an attic with improper ventilation can freeze on the underside of your roof. When an attic is stuffy that indicates you have a ventilation problem which often results in mold problems. Mold on the underside of roof sheathing is also very common.

Attic ventilation is a two part process. First air enters through the soffit vents. Poor ventilation can lead to mold growth. Since warm air rises if it comes into contact with the cold attic sheathing then condensation occurs.

Unfortunately improper installation or choosing the wrong kind of insulation causes moisture from the lower levels of the home to rise and get trapped in the attic. Even with proper ventilation your air should not be vented directly into an attic. For example if a house has poor attic ventilation but the ceiling is well air sealed and the interior of the home has excellent ventilation mold growth will not likely occur. An air conditioner in a home with improper attic ventilation must work overtime to keep the inside air cool particularly in the upper levels.