Cause Of Mold In Attic

You should remedy this by air sealing areas in your attic.

Cause of mold in attic.

It is caused by excessive moisture from air movement from humid air in your home to a low humid attic with lower temperatures. Ideally your roof will have vents along the ridge as well as along the soffits. Picture of mold in the attic. Cause 4 missing or inadequate attic insulation attic insulation is key in not only energy conservation but proper levels can also reduce the chance of mold growth in attic areas.

Attics usually have a passive ventilation system in which outside air comes in through the soffit eave vents at the bottom warms up in the attic and escapes through the can or ridge vents at the top because hot air rises. Particularly in cold climates when homeowners heat their homes in winter hot air tends to escape through the attic. As air travels up through a structure insulation provides a barrier slowing the rate of conditioned air loss in an attic area. The stagnant water causes attic mold growth.

Ice dams occur when water can t drain properly from the roof freezes and backs up into the home through the attic. If the mold appears in localized patches it is likely caused by leaks from windows plumbing or roofs. Some of the main causes of attic mold are described below. Yes basement flooding can contribute to or even be the primary cause of an attic mold problem.

Inadequate insulation around fixtures if the fixtures on your ceiling are not properly sealed and insulated at the edges warm air from your home can easily rise up to the attic. Mold in attic is fairly common because attics are often damp. This occurs efficiently in attics with proper ventilation but attic mold can occur if the hot air meets the cold surface of the attic roof and creates condensation. Mold in your attic is not the biggest concern.

If your roof leaks or any attic windows leak you ve got moisture in your attic and probably need to consider attic mold removal. Having one but not the other creates poor air flow allowing moisture to accumulate and mold to take hold. The most common cause of attic mold by far is blocked or insufficient ventilation of the attic space. The best way to prevent this.

In most buildings moisture moves upwards through the building naturally on rising warm air convection currents from basement or crawl space up to the attic or other under roof space like a cathedral ceiling. Clean your gutters when you re installing your outdoor christmas lights so that winter s rain and melting snow can drain. Can lights wall drywall junctions wall framing members ductwork bathroom vents etc. By far the most common cause of mold in your attic is improper ventilation.