Roof leaks cause two types of mold growth.
Mold in roof space.
Even if your roof and windows don t leak though humidity in the attic can lead to the growth of mold.
Picture of mold in the attic.
This occurs when the temperature of the sheathing drops below the dew point creating a thin layer of moisture on the substrate.
Systemic growth occurs when the roof leak causes enough moisture buildup in the attic to cause mold growth throughout the entire area.
Mold growth on attic roof sheathing is a common issue in cool climates such as the pacific northwest.
Cause 1 roof leaks.
In the vast majority of cases the mold growth is caused by condensation.
Mold on attic sheathing.
In this case the moisture buildup is indirect the roof leak only affects a small area but the dampness in the air causes.
Mold in attic is fairly common because attics are often damp.
Yes you guessed it at the top of our list is roof leaks.
Causes of mold while damp and warm climates are a prime breeding ground for our fuzzy friend other conditions that bring mold include lack of ventilation and proper sheathing.
However there are some common conditions that we routinely find during our mold investigations that are leading contributors to mold growth in attics.
When attic surfaces or insulation contain a large reservoir of toxic or allergenic mold and if the area were inaccessible say because the space is too small to enter then it may be necessary to remove some portion of roofing to give access for remediation particularly if there is evidence of transmission of problem mold from that space into.
Mold found in attic areas can be challenging at times when trying to pinpoint the exact cause and source of mold growth.
If your roof leaks or any attic windows leak you ve got moisture in your attic and probably need to consider attic mold removal.